Meaning & History
Etymology
Barnes is an English surname with multiple possible origins. It is most commonly thought to be an occupational name for someone who worked in a barn, or a topographic name for someone who lived near a barn. The word barn derives from Old English bere (barley) and ærn (dwelling). Alternatively, the name may stem from Old English beorn (warrior), of Old Norse origin.
Distribution
According to the 1881 British Census, the surname Barnes was most concentrated in Dorset (2.9 times the national average), followed by Wiltshire, Cumberland, Hampshire, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Huntingdonshire, Lancashire, and Sussex.
Notable Bearers
Notable individuals with the surname include author Julian Barnes (born 1946), philosopher and epistemologist Barry Barnes (born 1943), American basketball player Marvin Barnes (1952–2014), and MLB pitcher Matt Barnes (born 1990). Numerous other figures span sports, politics, arts, and academia.
- Meaning: Occupational name for barn worker or topographic name for barn dweller
- Origin: English
- Type: Surname
- Usage Regions: England (especially Dorset, Wiltshire, Lancashire)
Sources: Wikipedia — Barnes (surname)