The surname of BARBY was derived from the old French BARBOUR, an occupational name, one who trimmed or shaved beards. Other spellings of the name include BARBER, BARB, BARBE, BARBOUR and BARBIE. Early records of the name mention Thomas le Barbitonsor, 1273, County of Somerset. William le Barbitonsor, County of Wiltshire, ibid. Gilbert le Barber and Micheal le Barber were Scots prisoners, taken at Dunbar in 1296. Henry le Barber of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. A notable member of the name was John Barbour (circa 1316-1396) was the Scottish poet, prelate and scholar, known as the 'father of Scottish poetry and history'. He as probably born in Aberdeen and was the archdeacon of Aberdeen from 1357 or earlier, till his death. He studied at Oxford and Paris, and in 1372 he was appointed clerk of audit for Robert II. His national epic 'The Brus' written in the 1370's, was first printed in Edinburgh in 1571, and is a narrative on the life and deeds of Robert I the Bruce, having as its climax the battle of Bannockburn. Most of the European surnames were formed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The process had started somewhat earlier and had continued in some places into the 19th century, but the norm is that in the tenth and eleventh centuries people did not have surnames, whereas by the fifteenth century most of the population had acquired a second name. Later instances of the name include John Barber who was a native of Edinburgh, had letters of denisation in England in 1463. John Sturley and Agnes Barbor were married in London in the year 1543. Joseph Trambley and Ann Barbour were married at St. George's Chapel, Mayfair, London in the year 1754. |
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