NameCensus.

UK surname

Barbary

A surname derived from the Berber people of northern Africa.

In the 1881 census there were 75 people recorded with the Barbary surname, ranking it #22,893 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 97, ranked #31,585, down from #22,893 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Cornwall, Rother and Reading.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barbary is 120 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 29.3%.

1881 census count

75

Ranked #22,893

Modern count

97

2016, ranked #31,585

Peak year

1999

120 bearers

Map years

2

1998 to 2006

Key insights

  • Barbary had 75 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #22,893 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016, ranked #31,585.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 82 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Barbary surname distribution map

The map shows where the Barbary surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Barbary surname density by area, 2006 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barbary over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 56 #23,235
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 75 #22,893
1891 historical 82 #26,494
1901 historical 68 #26,598
1911 historical 66 #26,249
1997 modern 108 #25,788
1998 modern 117 #25,190
1999 modern 120 #24,960
2000 modern 116 #25,452
2001 modern 111 #25,767
2002 modern 104 #27,303
2003 modern 99 #27,871
2004 modern 103 #27,503
2005 modern 105 #27,203
2006 modern 106 #27,332
2007 modern 106 #27,722
2008 modern 105 #28,180
2009 modern 103 #29,127
2010 modern 109 #28,831
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 105 #29,362
2013 modern 105 #29,916
2014 modern 104 #30,365
2015 modern 102 #30,624
2016 modern 97 #31,585

Geography

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Where Barbarys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Cornwall, Rother and Reading. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Cornwall 040 Cornwall
2 Rother 006 Rother
3 Cornwall 066 Cornwall
4 Reading 007 Reading
5 Cornwall 041 Cornwall

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barbary

These lists show first names that appear often with the Barbary surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barbary

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Barbary, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Barbary surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Barbary household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Barbary is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Barbary is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barbary falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Barbary is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Barbary, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Barbary

The surname BARBARY is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval period around the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "barbarie," which referred to the Barbary Coast region of North Africa, known for its pirates and raiders.

The earliest recorded instances of the BARBARY surname can be found in various historical records, such as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, where a certain William Barbary is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by that time, likely borne by individuals who had connections to or had traveled to the Barbary Coast.

In the 14th century, the BARBARY surname appeared in the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire, further solidifying its presence in England. This record included entries for individuals like John Barbary and Robert Barbary, indicating the spread of the name across different regions.

During the 16th century, the BARBARY surname was associated with notable figures such as John Barbary (c. 1510-1570), an English clergyman who served as the Archdeacon of Northampton. Another individual of note was Thomas Barbary (1558-1628), a English merchant and explorer who ventured to the Barbary Coast and documented his travels.

In the 17th century, the BARBARY surname gained further prominence with individuals like Sir Henry Barbary (1620-1689), an English politician and member of Parliament. Additionally, records from this period mention a certain Elizabeth Barbary (1642-1701), who was a prominent landowner in Gloucestershire.

As the centuries progressed, the BARBARY surname continued to be documented in various historical records, including parish registers, census records, and military rolls. Noteworthy individuals bearing this surname include Captain William Barbary (1782-1856), a British naval officer who served in the Napoleonic Wars, and Sir Edward Barbary (1845-1920), a distinguished British diplomat and author.

While the BARBARY surname may have initially been associated with connections to the Barbary Coast, it eventually became a well-established English surname, carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and occupations. The name's rich history spans centuries and continues to be a part of the cultural tapestry of England and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barbary families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barbary surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Cornwall leads with 58 Barbarys recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.03x.

County Total Index
Cornwall 58 70.03x
Surrey 5 1.40x
Yorkshire 4 0.55x
Durham 2 0.92x
Middlesex 2 0.27x
Devon 1 0.66x
Essex 1 0.69x
Lancashire 1 0.12x
Northumberland 1 0.92x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Mevagissey in Cornwall leads with 24 Barbarys recorded in 1881 and an index of 4363.64x.

Place Total Index
Mevagissey 24 4363.64x
Ladock 19 8260.87x
Illogan 6 273.97x
Sutton 4 481.93x
Battersea 3 11.14x
Camborne 3 87.98x
Falmouth 3 102.39x
Creed 2 3333.33x
Kimblesworth 2 689.66x
Bermondsey 1 4.59x
Christow 1 666.67x
Croydon 1 5.05x
Hulme 1 5.52x
Mickley 1 294.12x
Mylor 1 181.82x
Shenfield 1 270.27x
St George Hanover Square 1 7.76x
St Giles In Fields London 1 27.86x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Barbary surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 9
Louisa 4
Annie 3
Bessie 3
Elizabeth 3
Rebecca 2
Sarah 2
Adeline 1
Amelia 1
Ann 1
Dinah 1
Dora 1
Emily 1
Emma 1
Eveline 1
Jane 1
Leonora 1
Maria 1
Matilda 1
Nancy 1
Sararh 1
Susan 1
Sylvia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Barbary surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 7
William 6
James 2
Joseph 2
Nicholas 2
Philip 2
Richard 2
Alfred 1
Ellick 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
Isaac 1
Martin 1
Paul 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Walter 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Barbary households.

FAQ

Barbary surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barbary surname in 1881?

In 1881, 75 people were recorded with the Barbary surname. That placed it at #22,893 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barbary surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 97 in 2016. That gives Barbary a modern rank of #31,585.

What does the Barbary surname mean?

A surname derived from the Berber people of northern Africa.

What does the Barbary map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barbary bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.