The Doorbar surname is very predominantly found in North Staffordshire. Although Doorbars, may now live in various locations around the world, the roots are firmly based in this part of England.

The name does have some variations – Dorbar, Durbar and Durbarre are found in the early parish registers. Spelling & dialect may account for the changes to Durber & Durbar. However the spelling of the name as Doorbar is established by the early eighteenth century.[1]

Some families changed to the spelling of Durber – this seems to occur with the movement of families into towns such as Burslem and Tunstall. Elias Doorbar, from whom the large Durber family of Wood Lane, near Audley originate is a good example of this change. Other families who originally were recorded as Durbers became Doorbars.

At Biddulph Parish Church records begin in 1558. The earliest recorded reference is to the marriage of Rumbaldus Dorbar and Elizabeth Stocken on September 2^nd 1583.

From the family of Daniel, born around 1703 & his wife Elizabeth Doorbar – we can trace many members of the present day Doorbar family.

As to the meaning of the name, there does not appear to be any obvious explanation. My favourite is the idea of the deer keeper, which would be doe and bar as in gate.