Barry

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈbɑː.ɹi/

Definitions

1. A male given name of Gaelic origin typically used as a first name for men and boys ; a surname possibly derived from Irish or Welsh roots ; a place name found in various regions primarily in Ireland and Wales
2. A personal name used predominantly for males with Celtic heritage ; a family name with origins tracing back to Irish or Welsh lineages ; the designation of certain towns or localities in Celtic-speaking areas
3. A commonly used masculine first name derived from Gaelic languages ; a last name borne by families originating from Ireland or Wales ; a geographic name for communities and locations in parts of Ireland and Wales

Etymology: In heraldry, a shield divided into an even number of horizontal stripes of alternating colours is described as barry. The term comes from Old French "barré", meaning striped or barred, from "barrer", to bar. The core idea is simply bars laid across a surface. The personal name Barry is a different matter. It is usually traced to Gaelic and Welsh sources, so the heraldic adjective and the name share a spelling by coincidence rather than by descent.

Synonyms: striped, banded