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BARKER or TANNER

In the development of surnames, these names are inseparable. They are both occupational and refer to the same trade: the manufacture of leather. For several centuries "Barker" and "Tanner" were synonymous. In 1339 the list of sponsors for the Chester Mystery Plays was headed "Barkers and Tanners". In addition to hides, the stock-in-trade of either named occupation was relatively simple: oak bark and vats. The process of leather-making required a decoction of oak-bark in which hides were then immersed.

The separation of these two occupational names was apparantly related to which activity an individual leather-worker was largely identified. So, if he was perceived more in his capacity as a rover in the forest stripping bark from oaks then he was called "Barker". Otherwise he was a "Tanne".[Ed:sic] The earliest reference to the former is for John le Barker of Cambridge (1260). For the other we find Ansketill le Tanur of Westmoreland, 1189. Here let it be noted that "Barker" can only too easily be confused with a similar name - of which more later.

Strange to say, although surnames occur earlier, the job- description itself appears late (1402). Even the word "bark" is found in writing rarely before 1300. This is a curiosity which is not easily explained. It may have been that the process of tanning was more predominant and "barker" was simply absorbed. Another explanation (which the present writer diffidently advances) is that the making of leather was a very old occupation, long practised in even before the Roman occupation in the islands. Wheras the work "bark" had been introduced by Teutonic and Norse invaders (cf. Swedish - borkr) the Celtic "tan" may still have rested in folk memory. In Old Cornish the Evergreen Oak is 'glad-tannen' and in Breton it was 'tan'. It is certainly significant that the word "tanner" itself appears as early as 975 (Royal Charter), and continued in use while "barker" steadily advanced towards obsolenscence: and declared as such in the 19th century.

Apart from these things there was not much escaping the impact of a tannery on the surrounding neighbourhood! The tanning liquid was exceptionally smelly and needed constant replenishment with fresh water. The records of the Middle Ages describe numerous disputes between townsfolk and tanners on account of the fouling of the water supplies with the waste products and dirty water when the vats were emptied. In 1306 the tanners were prosecuted for obstructing the fleet.

At this point it should be noted that, contrary to what might thus have been expected, the surname "Barker" was far more frequently encountered than "Tanner". In our local directory "Barker" extends over three columns against a small grouping of nine "Tanners". Even the Standard Biographical Dictionary includes only four Tanners to thirty Barkers!

It is an amusing speculation to think that "tanners" were rather reluctant to bear a surname that identified them with such a smelly and filthy occupation that they took every opportunity to adopt one that was less invidious! The more credible explanation is that the name became confused with the Anglo-Norman French word for "shepherd" - namely "bercher" (compare modern French "berger"). It was derived from the Latin "berbex". Hence Ralph Berker of York (1185) Richart le Berkier of Tyningham (1296). This variation reveals the tendency in the development of English for the combination of "-er-" to convert to "-ar-" as in the case of clericus - clerk - Clark and in Sergeant - Sargent. So families called "Barker" must decide as best they can whether they are descended from a leather-worker or a shepherd.

Of the personalities called "Barker" mention must be made of Sir Herbert Barker (1869-1950) a pioneer in manipulative surgery. Of "Tanner" - well! there is an unattested story that the old sixpenny piece was named after John Tanner the engraver at the Royal Mint for about 50 years and who designed the silver coinage for 1743 onwards.

© Desmond Holden
From "The Peak Advertiser", 28th June 2004.

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