NameCensus.

UK surname

Barre

A French topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a barrier, fence, or gateway.

In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Barre surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 249, ranked #16,847, up from #28,559 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Shropshire, Northampton and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Barre is 252 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 591.7%.

1881 census count

36

Ranked #28,559

Modern count

249

2016, ranked #16,847

Peak year

2015

252 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Barre had 36 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #28,559 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016, ranked #16,847.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 78 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Barre surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Barre surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Barre 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 23 #29,205
1861 historical 78 #23,836
1881 historical 36 #28,559
1891 historical 43 #30,933
1901 historical 37 #30,009
1911 historical 39 #29,025
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 114 #25,589
1999 modern 130 #23,805
2000 modern 114 #25,717
2001 modern 118 #24,832
2002 modern 129 #24,021
2003 modern 130 #23,672
2004 modern 136 #23,207
2005 modern 154 #21,396
2006 modern 162 #20,886
2007 modern 172 #20,321
2008 modern 162 #21,350
2009 modern 179 #20,418
2010 modern 216 #18,492
2011 modern 212 #18,575
2012 modern 222 #17,921
2013 modern 237 #17,423
2014 modern 244 #17,189
2015 modern 252 #16,705
2016 modern 249 #16,847

Geography

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Where Barres 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 Shropshire, Northampton and Hillingdon. 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 Shropshire 017 Shropshire
2 Shropshire 020 Shropshire
3 Shropshire 032 Shropshire
4 Northampton 007 Northampton
5 Hillingdon 026 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Barre

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Barre

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Barre, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Barre surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Barre household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Barre 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

Barre is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Barre falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Barre 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
Other Ethnic Group

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

Meaning and origin of Barre

The surname Barre has its origins in France, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "barre," which means "bar" or "barrier." The name likely referred to someone who lived near a physical barrier or checkpoint.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barre can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and property commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions several individuals with the surname Barre, indicating the name's presence in Normandy and other parts of northern France at the time.

In the 12th century, the name Barre appeared in various forms, such as "de la Barre" and "de Barra," suggesting a connection to specific locations or estates. For instance, the village of La Barre in the Manche department of Normandy may have given rise to some variations of the surname.

One notable figure bearing the name was Isaac Barre, a British military officer and politician born in 1726. He served in the Seven Years' War and later became a Member of Parliament, known for his support of the American colonists during the American Revolution.

Another prominent individual was Jean-Antoine Lefèvre de la Barre, a French nobleman who lived from 1662 to 1736. He was a military officer and served as the Governor of New France (present-day Canada) from 1682 to 1685.

In the 18th century, the surname Barre was also associated with the Barre family, a prominent clan in the French region of Auvergne. This family produced several notable figures, including François Barre, a French architect born in 1745, who designed several significant buildings in Paris.

The name Barre has also been documented in other parts of Europe, such as England and Scotland, where it may have been adopted by families of French descent or through various linguistic and cultural influences.

Throughout history, the surname Barre has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including military leaders, politicians, architects, and landowners. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages in France, where it likely referred to those residing near physical barriers or checkpoints.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Barre families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Barre 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. Middlesex leads with 15 Barres recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.75x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 15 3.75x
Lancashire 8 1.69x
Shropshire 6 17.37x
Channel Islands 5 42.19x
Hampshire 2 2.44x
Kent 2 1.47x
Berkshire 1 3.33x
Cheshire 1 1.13x
Northamptonshire 1 2.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 8 Barres recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.64x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 8 20.64x
Newton 7 191.26x
Shrewsbury Holy Cross 6 1578.95x
St Helier 5 129.53x
St Pancras London 3 9.32x
Kensington London 2 8.99x
St Marylebone London 2 9.37x
Woolwich 2 39.68x
Claughton With Grange 1 250.00x
Northampton St Sepulchre 1 52.36x
Portsea 1 6.22x
Portsmouth 1 52.91x
Salford 1 7.16x
Wallingford St Peter 1 1666.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 3
Sarah 2
A. 1
Antionette 1
Blanche 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elizabeth 1
Fanny 1
Florence 1
Jane 1
Luaile 1
M.A. 1
Madelaine 1
Margaret 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 3
John 2
Jules 2
William 2
Edwin 1
Eugene 1
Frank 1
George 1
Gustave 1
Harry 1
Henry 1
Marius 1
P. 1
P.Alf. 1
Phillip 1
Theodule 1
Thomas 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 Barre households.

FAQ

Barre surname: questions and answers

How common was the Barre surname in 1881?

In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Barre surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Barre surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 249 in 2016. That gives Barre a modern rank of #16,847.

What does the Barre surname mean?

A French topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a barrier, fence, or gateway.

What does the Barre map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Barre 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.