'Barlow' originates from Old English, specifically the elements 'bere' and 'hlāw', where 'bere' meant 'barley' and 'hlāw' meant 'hill'.

'Barlow' changed from Middle English place-name forms such as 'Barlawe' or 'Barlowe' and eventually became the modern English surname 'Barlow'. The use of 'Barlow' for a style of pocketknife likely derives from a maker or proprietor who bore that surname.

Initially, it meant 'barley hill' as a place-name; over time it became a hereditary surname and later, by name association, came to denote a particular style of folding pocketknife.