It was discovered by the Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, under Robert Falcon Scott, and named by the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907–09, under Ernest Shackleton, after nearby Cape Barne, which itself is named after Michael Barne of Sotterley, Suffolk who was the second lieutenant during the Discovery Expedition.
Barne was the eldest son of Frederick Barne of Sotterley HalI, near Wangford, Suffolk and his wife Mary Anne Elizabeth Honywood, eldest daughter of Sir John Edward Courtenay Honywood, 6th Baronet.
Sotterley was founded in 1703 by James Bowles, a wealthy planter, eventually changing hands to former Maryland Governor George Plater and through the 20th century to Louisa Satterlee (daughter of J.P. Morgan) and her husband.