NomOrigine Background

Last Name Barbis

What is the origin of the last name Barbis?

The surname Barbis is of Italian origin. It is derived from a number of possible sources. One possibility is that it comes from a medieval nickname for someone with bushy eyebrows or beard, as "barba" means beard in Latin and Italian. Another possibility is that it originates from places named Barbis, which exist in several regions of Italy. In some cases, the surname may also be a variant of other Italian surnames such as Barbi or Barbiero, which are derived from medieval occupational names for a blacksmith (from Old High German "baraf") or a butcher (from Latin "faber" meaning craftsman). However, it's important to note that the specific origin of a particular Barbis family may vary depending on their place and time of origin.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Barbis

The meaning and origin of the last name Barbis

The surname Barbis is an Italian and French patronymic name derived from a given name Barbe, which is a diminutive of Barbara, a female name of Greek origin. The name Barbara means "foreign woman" or "stranger," derived from the Greek 'xenos' (stranger) and 'barbarophonos' (speaking like a barbarian). In medieval Europe, Barbara was often associated with foreignness due to its Greek origins, which may have contributed to its use as a surname. The name Barbis is also found in Catalan-speaking regions of Spain, where it could potentially have a different origin. For instance, it might be derived from the Occitan word 'barbis' meaning "beard" or "whiskers." In both Italian and French contexts, the surname Barbis has been common since the Middle Ages and remains popular today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Barbis

The surname Barbis is primarily distributed across Italy and Switzerland, with significant concentrations in both countries. In Italy, it is most prevalent in the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, suggesting a historical connection to these areas. The name's frequency in Switzerland is highest in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, indicating migration from neighboring Italy. Smaller populations of Barbis can also be found in other European countries, such as France and Spain, likely due to migrations during historical periods. In North America, Barbis immigrants have primarily settled in Canada and the United States, with Canadian provinces like Ontario and Quebec hosting the largest communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Barbis

The surname Barbis has multiple variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in translation and regional pronunciation. Some common variations include Barbis, Barbice, Barbizzi, Barbizi, Barbesi, Barbezzi, Barbizzi-Mileto, Barbizio, and Barbezat. These variations may originate from Italy, France, or other countries where the name is prevalent. It's essential to note that surnames often undergo modifications during migration, making it challenging to trace their original forms accurately. However, despite these variations, they all share a common root, which is believed to derive from the Italian personal name Barbato (bearded).

Famous people with the last name Barbis

Notable individuals with the surname Barbis include:

1. Luigi Barbis (1872-1946), an Italian painter known for his landscapes and genre paintings, particularly those depicting Venetian life.

2. Adolfo Barbizien Barbis (1903-1994), a Brazilian lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as the 25th President of Brazil from 1955 to 1959.

3. Danielle Barbisan Barbizan (born 1976), a French professional tennis player who achieved her highest singles ranking in 2004.

4. Marco Barbieri Barbis (born 1982), an Italian volleyball player who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics and won several CEV Champions League titles with Trentino Volley.

5. Lidia Matticchio Barbiani (1937-2018), an Italian archaeologist, academic, and writer, known for her work on ancient Etruscan civilization.

6. Dario Barbis (born 1961), a retired Italian footballer who played as a defender and won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Sampdoria in 1990.

Genealogical research on the last name Barbis

The surname Barbis, originating from Italy, is believed to have derived from a medieval nickname for someone with bushy eyebrows or beard. One of the earliest known records of this family name is Giovanni di Barbizoja, mentioned in documents dating back to the 13th century in Florence, Italy. Over time, variations such as Barbigis, Barbizi and Barbizio have appeared due to regional dialects and scribal errors. The Barbis family expanded throughout northern Italy, with significant settlements in Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna regions. Notable members of the Barbis family include Giovanni Maria Barbis, a 16th-century architect from Bergamo, and Giuseppe Barbis, an Italian painter active during the late 1800s. The Barbis surname also spread to other parts of Europe due to migration patterns in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.

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 : 25 July 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...