NomOrigine Background

Last Name Barberan

What is the origin of the last name Barberan?

The surname "Barberan" has its origins in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. It is derived from the medieval occupational name for a barber (in Catalan, 'barber' is 'barber en'). Over time, as families and individuals migrated or were forced to move due to various reasons, surnames such as Barberan became widespread throughout the Iberian Peninsula and even beyond. The surname can also be found in other regions of Spain and in some parts of Italy, particularly in Lombardy, where it has a similar meaning.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Barberan

The meaning and origin of the last name Barberan

The surname Barberan is of Spanish origin, derived from the Old Occitan word "barbaren" or the Latin term "barbarus," both meaning barbarian or foreigner. This surname was initially given to individuals who were newcomers or outsiders in a particular region. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name evolved into Barberan in some regions of Spain, particularly Catalonia and Valencia. The name may have also been associated with barbers due to their foreign origins, as they were often migrants who traveled from place to place, providing their services. The association with barbers could also stem from the similarity between "barbero" (Barberan in Spanish) and the word for barber, reflecting the profession's mobility and the possibility that some Barberans may have been barbers.

Geographical distribution of the last name Barberan

The surname Barberan is predominantly distributed across Spain, specifically in regions such as Catalonia and Valencia, due to its historical origins within these areas. It is also present in smaller numbers in other parts of the country. Outside of Spain, there are significant Barberan populations in Italy, particularly in Tuscany and Liguria, where the name may have originated from migration during the Middle Ages. Smaller clusters of the Barberan family can be found in France, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, and the United States, reflecting historical migration patterns and settlements.

Variants and spellings of the last name Barberan

The surname Barberan has several variations and spellings in different regions and time periods. Some common variations include Barberán, Berberán, Barbéran, Barben, Berben, and even Barbarán, though this is less common. In some cases, the name may also be written as Barbon or Barban, which are slightly modified forms of Barberan. In other languages, the surname might appear as Barberan in Catalan, Barberán in Spanish, Barbera in Italian, Barbeyrac or Barbeyran in French, and Bárbarán or Barberen in Hungarian. The spelling can also be influenced by regional dialects and transcription errors over time, leading to further variations.

Famous people with the last name Barberan

The Barberan family has produced several notable figures across various fields, notably in art and business. Among them, Juan Wauters Barberán (b. 1982) is a Belgian musician and visual artist, best known for his work with the band Juan Wauters. In the realm of architecture, Ricardo Bofill y Mascaró (b. 1939), born Ricardo Barberan i Mascaró, is a Spanish architect and urban planner, recognized for his unique Brutalist style. Lastly, in sports, Lluís Barberán i Roig (1940-2017) was a professional tennis player from Spain, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 1968 and 1969. These individuals showcase the diverse talents and accomplishments that can stem from the same last name, Barberan.

Genealogical research on the last name Barberan

The surname Barberan originates from Spain, specifically the Catalonia region. Its roots can be traced back to medieval times when it was predominantly occupied by various Barbera clans. One of the earliest known references of the name is in the "Cortes de Monzon" of 1238, where Guerau Barbéran was mentioned. The name derives from the Old Occitan word "barbèra," meaning "bearded woman." As a matronymic surname, it would have been given to children born to a woman named Barba (meaning bearded in Latin). Over time, variations such as Barbéran, Barberán, and Barberan emerged due to spelling differences and regional dialects. Today, the Barberan family is predominantly found across Spain, particularly in Catalonia, and also in other Spanish-speaking countries like Argentina, Cuba, and the United States, where descendants have emigrated.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Bar (Last name)

surnames > bar

The last name "Bar" is of English, Scottish, or German origin. In English and Scottish, it is derived from the Old English word "bearu," meaning a grove or a small wood. In German,...

Bar-hen (Last name)

surnames > bar-hen

The surname Bar-Hen is of Hebrew origin and is believed to be a Jewish surname. It is a combination of "bar," which means "son of" in Hebrew, and the name "Hen," which is a Hebrew ...

Bara (Last name)

surnames > bara

The last name "Bara" has multiple possible origins. 1. Arabic: It can be of Arabic origin and derived from the word "barah," which means "innocent" or "guiltless." In this case, ...

Bara allana (Last name)

surnames > bara-allana

Bara Allana is a surname of Arabic origin. The name likely originated from the combination of "Bara," which means "innocent" or "guileless" in Arabic, and "Allana," which is a vari...

Bara bere (Last name)

surnames > bara-bere

The last name "Bara Bere" originates from the Basque region in Spain. It is a common surname in the Basque Country and is derived from the Basque words "bara" meaning "hoop" and "b...

Bara ghazipur (Last name)

surnames > bara-ghazipur

The surname Bara Ghazipur is of Indian origin and is likely derived from the place name Ghazipur in the eastern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The name may indicate that the origin...

Bara lan (Last name)

surnames > bara-lan

Bara lan is a surname of Indonesian origin. It is derived from the Javanese word "Bara" meaning "fire" and "Lan" meaning "land" or "field". It likely signifies someone who lives ne...

Baraacal (Last name)

surnames > baraacal

The surname "Baraacal" appears to have Spanish origins. It may be derived from a place name or a personal name, but further research would be needed to confirm its specific origin.

Barabach (Last name)

surnames > barabach

The last name "Barabach" appears to have Polish origins. It is a relatively uncommon surname, and it is likely derived from a Polish word or place. Unfortunately, specific informat...

Barabad (Last name)

surnames > barabad

The origin of the last name "Barabad" is likely Persian or Arabic in origin. It may be derived from a place name or have a meaning related to a specific occupation or attribute.

Barabag (Last name)

surnames > barabag

The last name "Barabag" is of Ukrainian origin. It is derived from the word "baraban," which means drum in Ukrainian. It is likely that the name was originally used to describe som...

Baraban (Last name)

surnames > baraban

The last name Baraban is of Eastern European origin and is most commonly found in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is an occupational surname derived from the wor...

Barabas (Last name)

surnames > barabas

The last name Barabas is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the given name Barabás, which is a Hungarian form of the biblical name Barabbas.

Barabash (Last name)

surnames > barabash

The surname Barabash is of Slavic origin, particularly common among Eastern Slavic peoples such as Russians and Ukrainians. It is derived from a personal name Barbash (Барбаш...

Barabe (Last name)

surnames > barabe

The last name "Barabe" is of French origin. It is derived from the personal name "Barabé," which itself is a variant of the name "Barthélemy." This surname is found predominantly...