Etymology Dictionary

BARON,  a title of dignity.  (F.,—O.H.G.)   M.E. baron, Rob. of Glouc. p. 125 (see Koch, Eng. Gram. iii. 154); barun, Old Eng. Homilies, ed. Morris, ii. 35.—F. baron (Norman F. barun, see Vie de St. Auban, ed. Atkinson, l. 134, and note to l. 301).   β. The final -on is a mere suffix, and the older form is bar; both bar and baron meaning, originally, no more than 'man' or 'husband.'   Diez quotes from Raynouard the O. Provençal phrase—'lo bar non es creat per la femna, mas la femna per lo baro' = the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man.'—O.H.G. bar, a man; originally, in all probability, a bearer, porter (cf. Low Lat. baro in the sense of vassal, servant); cf. G. suffix -bar, bearing; from ✔BHAR, to carry.   See Bear.   Der. baron-age, baron-y, baron-et, baron-et-cy.