Bartholomew was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. Bartholomew comes from the Aramaic bar-Tôlmay , meaning son of Tolmay or son of the furrows . Many have, based on this meaning, assumed it was not a given name, but a family name.

The festival of St. Bartholomew is celebrated on August 24 in the western Church and on June 11 in the Eastern churches. The Armenian Apostolic Church honours Saint Bartholomew, along with Saint Thaddeus as their patron saint. The Coptic Church remembers him on January 1. The festival in August has been a traditional occasion for markets and fairs; such a fair serves as the scene for Bartholomew Fair, a play by Ben Jonson.