Surname Barrow - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Barrow Family Heritage: A Personal Journey through the iGENEA DNA Test

Navigating on the journey of the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered significant insights into my familial lineage under the surname Barrow. The test results, a mix of history and genetics, shed light on the rich heritage that the Barrow name holds. This discovery has awakened a deep sense of pride and curiosity, not only towards my family tree, but also my personal identity.

G. Barrow

Barrow: What does the surname Barrow mean?

The name Barrow is of English origin and is derived from the Old English term "bearu" or "bearwe," which both mean "grove." Hence, it is commonly regarded as a geographical or topographical name given to someone who lived near a grove or a wooded area. Alternatively, it can also refer to an area where barley was grown, derived from "bere," an old English term for barley, shaped into a hill or mound, often seen as "barrow." Hence, it could refer to someone living near a barley hill. In certain contexts, the name could also refer to 'ancient burial mounds', as "barrow" in Old English also signifies prehistoric burial sites or mounds in the British landscape, indicating a possible ancestral connection to those who lived near or was responsible for these sites. Like many surnames, different families with the name Barrow could trace their origins differently, reflecting the geographical and occupational diversity of medieval England.

Barrow: Where does the name Barrow come from?

The surname Barrow has English origins and is derived from the Old English term 'beorg' or 'bearu', which means 'hill' or 'grove'. This name is mainly a topographic name for someone who lived by a hill or a grove or a habitational name from any of the numerous places named with these words, such as Barrow in Cheshire or Somerset. The surname is not limited to England; it has travelled with British diaspora to various parts of the world, including Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it is relatively common in England and the United States. Besides, the surname is also prominent in The Gambia, a West African country, due to the reign of ex-president Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, whose mother had the surname Barrow, and his successor who was also of the Barrow lineage - President Adama Barrow. Thus, the surname, though rooted in England, is now fairly widespread across multiple continents.

Variations of the surname Barrow

The surname Barrow has several variations, alternative spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Barrows, Barr, Barra, Barrs, Barrough, and Barugh. The name itself is possibly derived from the Old English term "beorg", meaning hill, or "bere-ær" a compound of "bere", barley, and "ær", a ploughed field.

It also could have a locational origin, referring to someone who lived near a hill, grove, or other local geographic feature. There are multiple places in England named Barrow, so the surname could indicate that a person came from one of these locations.

Due to regional accents and spelling variations over time, the name can be found spelled differently in historic records. Moreover, variances in the surname can occur due to how it was transcribed during immigration or census reporting, or simply due to phonetic spelling leading to changes over time.

The variation Barrows is particularly prevalent in the United States. Surnames of similar origin include Barry, Barron, Barrington and the Scottish Baird, which also feature roots in geographic features or landmarks.

Famous people with the name Barrow

• Clyde Barrow: One of the infamous American outlaws, robbers, and criminals during the Great Depression known as Bonnie and Clyde.
• John Barrow: A noted British mathematician and cosmologist.
• Charles Barrow: A well-known British actor.
• Sir John Barrow: A prominent English statesman and writer of the 19th century.
• Freddie Barrow: A famous American jazz singer.
• Jane Barrow: A popular British author and journalist.
• William Barrow: An important British architect in the 18th century.
• Andrew Barrow: A best-selling British author and food critic.
• Isaac Barrow: An English Christian theologian and mathematician who is generally given credit for his early role in the development of infinitesimal calculus.
• David Barrow: An acclaimed Australian director.
• Sir George Barrow: A leading English explorer and geographer.
• Sir Thomas Barrow: A distinguished British military officer and colonial administrator.
• Ann Barrow: An award-winning British artist.
• Joseph Barrow, better known as Joe Louis: An American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949.
• Hastings Kamuzu Banda, born as Richard Banda: A physician and politician from Nyasaland who served as the Prime Minister and later President of Malawi from 1964 to 1994.

Other surnames

BarronBarrotBarrows