Barras (surname)

Barras is a surname of multiple origins, most commonly found in France and Scotland.

In France, Barras is often considered a topographic name, derived from the Occitan word "barra," meaning "bar" or "barrier," referring to a physical obstacle such as a gate, dam, or defensive wall. It could also denote someone who lived near such a feature. A secondary possibility is that it originated as a nickname from the Old French "barrat," meaning "deceitful" or "tricky."

In Scotland, Barras is a habitational surname derived from the lands of Barras in Kincardineshire. The place name itself is of uncertain origin, possibly Pictish.

The surname Barras can be found with variations in spelling, including Barrasse, Barre, and Barratt. Individuals bearing this surname have been recorded in various historical documents and lineages across Europe.