Surname Barkers - Meaning and Origin
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Barkers: What does the surname Barkers mean?
The last name Barkers is an English surname originating from Old English and originally derived from a nickname for a person who made or sold items manufactured out of bark. It was particularly used to denote someone who was a tanner – a person who worked with tanned animal hides to make leather. Over time, the word "barker" was used more generally to refer to a salesman, someone who stood outside shops and tried to attract people to come in.
In more modern times, the name is still often used to refer to someone who is a salesman, someone who stands outside shops and tries to attract customers. It can also refer to an auctioneer, a performer or a person who "barks out" orders. Alternatively, some people believe that the family name "Barkers" is derived from the word "Berkshire" – an old English county.
The last name Barkers has its roots in the distant past with a classic occupational surname. Its origins are steeped in history and its meaning offers an interesting insight into the traditional English way of life and the people who have taken on the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBarkers: Where does the name Barkers come from?
The last name Barkers is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries. In the United States, Barkers is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas, suggesting that the people with that surname have English, Welsh, or Scottish origins.
Although the name originally referred to someone who worked as a barker - a person who stood outside fairs and other events to attract customers - over time, the last name has become much less associated with work and more connected to heritage. It is believed that the most ancient form of the name Barkers is derived from the Old English word ‘baircere’, which means an itinerant pedlar or beggar.
In the 21st century, the Barkers name is still a fairly common one, although it is not as widespread as some other last names. The majority of Barkers are believed to be descended from the ancient Anglo-Saxons, with some other branches having possible Germanic, Celtic, Norman, or Scandinavian origins. The last name is relatively popular in the United Kingdom, and the number of people with the last name Barkers living there is estimated to be as high as 30,000.
Overall, the last name Barkers is most frequently found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, and is still quite common today. It has become less associated with work and more connected to heritage, with many people believing that it has Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Celtic, Norman, or Scandinavian roots.
Variations of the surname Barkers
The Barkers surname has several variations, spelling and alternate surnames. Some of these are more common than others.
The Barkers spelling is the original of the surname and many variations of it exist including Barckers, Barkers, Barkar, Barchar, Barcker and Barckar.
The various versions of the Barkers surname may also be spelled as Baric, Barric, Barrick, Beric, Berrick, Berwic, Barron, Borck, Borick, or Borric.
Other alternate spellings and related surnames include Barkley, Barclay, Berkeley, Bourke, Burk, Burke, Bork, Birk, Berke, Barke, Bark, Birks, Burks and Barks.
Other more rarely used surnames of similar origins may be found, but these are the most commonly used variations and spellings used by those with the Barkers surname.
The spelling of the Barkers surname could have evolved over time as well, depending on regional dialects and other factors such as location. Also, other cultures may have adopted the surname, such as Irish and Gaelic versions of the Barkers surname, which may be spelled Berker, Birker, Birkheer, Birkett, Birkin and Berkett.
It is also possible that some individuals with the surname Barkers are descended from a Barker profession, such as a tanner, currier or leatherworker.
Famous people with the name Barkers
- Adam Barker: player of the Canadian Football League, released by the Montreal Alouettes in 2014.
- Alfie Barker: English professional football player, currently playing for Gainsborough Trinity.
- Alan Barker: English professor in the Department of Organizational and Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck, University of London.
- Bille Barkers: stand-up comedian and voice actor, best known for the voice of Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show.
- Bob Barker: former game show host, most famously known for hosting The Price is Right.
- Claude Bethune “Bud” Barkers: former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League from 1952 to 1959.
- Carolyn Barker: Australian Olympic swimmer and lawyer, who represented Australia in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
- David Barkers: British marketing executive and speaker, who is the founder of Barkers Marketing Solutions.
- Dr. John William Barkers: English veterinarian and keen naturalist who became a founding member of The British Ornithologists' Union and its first treasurer.
- Harry Barkers: British World War II Royal Air Force pilot who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.