Last name: Barras

Recorded in several spellings including Barras, Barrass, Barrasse, Baress, Barus, Barrus and even Beeres, this is an English surname. It is either locational from the village of Barras in the former county of Westmorland, or it is topographical for somebody who lived by a "bearwes", or a grove of woods. Locational surnames are usually "from" names. That is to say surnames given to people after they left their original homes, as an easy form of identification for a stranger. Spelling being at best erratic, and local dialects very thick, often lead to the adoption of "sounds like" spellings. In this case early examples of the surname recording taken from surviving church registers of the diocese of Greater London include: John Barus, who was christened at St. Stephans, Coleman Street, on October 24th 1541, whilst on July 31st 1549, Joane Beeres married William Burham at St. Michael Poultry. Roberte, the son of John Barrasse was christened at St. Martin Ludgate, London on July 14th 1566, and Mary Barrass married Borert Severns at Allhallows, London Wall, on December 19th 1710. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam de Barewes. This was dated 1192, in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire, during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Visitor Comments

Cindy Barris-Speke
Barris should be o the list as well-many cases of these names in Northumberland-Newcastle on Tyne.

Jack Barras
Very usefull thanks! Yes Cindy I have been told that there are many of us in Newcastle too! I,m in Yorkshire.

Ed Barras
I am completely surprised by the English background of my family because all of known family spoke French and were told that their ancestors came from France. Border of France and Switzerland. Thanks for another branching of the Barras "clan".

Jack Barras
Interestingly Ed many moons ago and I dont remember the search engine I used at the time I too remember traceing the name back to France! Considering the Norman conquest and many shared links with France Historicaly? I.m now going to have another look!

Jack Barras
Cindy I,m sure Barris will de a variant of the same name as this is often the way people will pronounce my name. I have encountered BRASS as a kind of pronunciation quite frequently too?