Baran
A surname with more than one likely source, including an old title-based form and, in Slavic use, a word meaning “ram” or “sheep.”
The #5,253 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 46,498 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The historical notes point to at least two different etymological paths. In English records, Baran appears as a spelling related to Baron, meaning a nobleman or lord, and older writers also treated Gaelic Baran as “baron.” In Polish and some other Slavic languages, baran means “ram” or “sheep,” so the surname could also be nicknamed or descriptive in origin depending on family line.
History
Medieval English examples such as le Barun and Baran show that the name was in use quite early in surname formation. Separately, Polish noble usage preserved Baran as a family name before later name changes in some branches. Because the surname occurs in different linguistic areas, modern bearers may have unrelated ancestral origins.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One cited Polish noble family was originally called Baran before adopting a different surname later on.
From the historical record
“batTtn. Osbert le Baran, Close Roll, 2 Edw. I. Richard le Baron, co. Devon^ 1273. ^' Geoffrey le Barun, co. Oxf, ibid.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)