Barnaby Family History

English:: from the Middle English vernacular form of the Greek and Latin personal name Barnabas which was borne by the companion of St. Paul (Acts 36). This is of Aramaic origin from Aramaic bar naḅyā ‘son of the prophet’ although the Greek text of Acts 36 explains the name as hyios paraklēseōs ‘son of consolation’ or ‘encouragement’.

Habitational name from any of the four places: Barnaby in North Yorkshire, Barnetby le Wold or Barnoldby le Beck (both in Lincolnshire), or Barnby in Suffolk. Barnaby in North Yorkshire is named with the Old English personal name Beornwald (composed of the elements beorn ‘young warrior’ + wald ‘rule’) + Old Norse bȳ ‘settlement, farmstead’.

Barnby in Suffolk is named with Old Norse barn ‘child, offspring’ + bȳ meaning ‘children's farm’ perhaps for an estate divided by heirs.