The chief source is the first name that has the form Berault or Beraud (or Baraud[2]) in French, and means 'bear power'.
[3] In modern times, the name has various spellings, including Barrett, Barret, Barratt, Bairead, Baireid and Baroid.
[5] The English pipe rolls of the 13th century indicate that the overlords of both the Cork and the Mayo-Galway Barretts were the same people, and the records further indicate that both families migrated from Pendyne County, Wales.
[8][4] Around the turn of the 14th century, John Barrett was pardoned Crown debts and rents by King Edward II in return for services during the First War of Scottish Independence.
[11] In 1485, among other Welsh and Irish mercenaries, troops from the Barretts of Cork were hired and knighted by King Henry VII to fight in the Battle of Bosworth Field.
According to legend, the accompanying clans rode 'swift Irish ponies' and overtook the opposing army's heavily armoured knights.
[6] By 1600 the Barretts had lost Ballincollig Castle due to infighting,[7] with Sir Walter Coppinger gaining full ownership of the lands in 1630.
According to one Dr. Smith, it is said that Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone when marching to Kinsale asked who lived in the castle, and upon being told that the owner was a Barret, described as a 'good Catholic' whose ancient English family had owned the estate in Barretts Country for just over 400 years, the Earl swore in Irish: "No matter, I hate the English churl, as if he came but yesterday.
[6] The clan motto is: "Frangas non flectes: virtus probitas", whose meaning is commonly given as "unbowed, unbroken honor and courage".