Find out how popular the last name Barbee is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Barbee.

Barbee, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Barbee surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Barbee in America

Barbee is the 3151st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Barbee surname appeared 11,470 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Barbee.

We can also compare 2010 data for Barbee to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Barbee

The surname BARBEE is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "barbier," meaning "barber." This occupation-based surname emerged in the Middle Ages, indicating an association with the trade of haircutting and shaving.

The earliest known recorded instances of the name BARBEE date back to the 13th century in regions of northern France. It is believed that the name was initially adopted by individuals who worked as barbers or were affiliated with the barbering profession.

One of the earliest documented references to the BARBEE surname can be found in the "Livre des Métiers" (Book of Trades), a medieval French manuscript from the late 13th century. This text mentions several individuals bearing the surname BARBEE, indicating their involvement in the barber's guild.

In the 14th century, historical records reveal the presence of the BARBEE name in the region of Normandy, France. A notable figure from this era was Jean BARBEE, a barber who lived in the town of Rouen during the 1360s. His name appears in local tax records and guild registers.

As the surname spread across Europe, it underwent various spelling variations, including BARBE, BARBET, and BARBEAU. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and local pronunciation patterns.

During the 16th century, the BARBEE surname gained prominence in England, likely introduced by Norman settlers after the conquest of 1066. One notable English figure was William BARBEE, a barber-surgeon who practiced in London during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603).

In the 17th century, the BARBEE name found its way to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Robert BARBEE, who arrived in Virginia from England in 1635. He established a successful barbering business and became a prominent figure in the Jamestown settlement.

Another notable figure was Jacques BARBEE, a French barber who accompanied the explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, on his expeditions in the late 17th century. Jacques BARBEE's name appears in various journals and records documenting La Salle's explorations of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico region.

Throughout history, the BARBEE surname has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, not limited to the barbering trade. However, its origins remain firmly rooted in the occupation of haircutting and grooming, reflecting the importance of this craft in medieval European societies.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Barbee

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Barbee.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Barbee was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Barbee has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Barbee was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Barbee, please contact us.

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