Born near Concord, North Carolina, in 1806 to Elizabeth Brandon and Paul Barringer, Daniel had nine siblings, including at least two brothers.

Raised in a large family, Barringer likely received early education at home before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

During this period, his younger brother, Rufus Clay Barringer, studied law with him to prepare for passing the bar exam.

After opting not to seek a fourth congressional term in 1848, Daniel Barringer accepted President Zachary Taylor's appointment as minister to Spain, serving in this diplomatic capacity from 1849 to 1853.

[2] Barringer died September 1, 1873, aged 67, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and was buried in Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.