Bair (surname)

Bair is a surname with multiple possible origins.

It can be:

• Scottish: A variant of the surname "Baird," which is derived from the Gaelic word "bard," meaning "minstrel" or "poet."
• German: Possibly derived from the Middle High German word "beier," meaning "Bavarian" or "a person from Bavaria." It may also be a variant of "Bayer."
• English: A topographic name for someone who lived by a cattle pasture, derived from the Middle English "bair(e)" meaning "cattle shed" or "pasture."
• Americanized/Variant Spelling: A simplified or phonetic spelling of other surnames with similar pronunciations or origins.

Distribution of the surname is relatively widespread across English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Individuals with the surname Bair may be of Scottish, German, English, or mixed heritage. Genealogical research is recommended to determine the specific origin of a particular family bearing the surname.