The Family Tree

The Barber family of Cambridgeshire

The Barber surname most likely derives from the occupation of cutting hair. During the Middle Ages, a Barber may have also undertaken tooth extraction and minor surgical procedures. However, finding a link back this far would prove very difficult. Still, thanks to fellow researcher Robert Whiteside (fifth cousin, twice removed!) the family have been traced back into late Elizabethan England to the village of Witcham in Cambridgeshire.

It's easy to stumble across the Barber family when looking at the other surnames in the fenland around Ely due to the large families that they bore.

There are two ancestral Barber families, although i strongly suspect that they are in fact one and the same as they both lead me back to Witcham, Cambridgeshire. A small village sitting on a dry land hill in the fenland, just North West of Ely and close to Mepal and Sutton.

Take a look at the ancestors named on the right to begin looking in to the family. The Barber family often gave their sons the first name of 'Wenham'. The origin of this name is unclear - it may have been a maternal maiden name.

The family is very large and therefore not all of the members have been added online but if you spot something common with your own genealogical research then please do not hesitate to let me know via the form on the Contact page.


Further Information