Surname Bermingham - Meaning and Origin
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Bermingham: What does the surname Bermingham mean?
The surname Bermingham is of Irish origin and is derived from a place name. The term Bermingham comes from the Gaelic MacFeorais, also spelled as Muintir Fheorais, which means "people of Fheoris". The term Fheoris, on the other hand, is thought to mean "the way of light". The name was anglicised to Bermingham and it is the title of the lords of Athenry and Dunmore. It has also been linked to the city of Birmingham in England, due to the ancient family ties with Norman conquerors who were granted lands in Ireland. However, this connection is far from conclusive. It is significantly more widespread in Ireland than in England, suggesting that its origins are likely more Irish than English. Though shared by many, each family line with the Bermingham name has its own distinct history.
Order DNA origin analysisBermingham: Where does the name Bermingham come from?
The last name Bermingham originates from Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic name "de Bermingham", associated with a territory in County Galway, Ireland. The name was established by the Anglo-Norman family of de Bermingham who entered Ireland following the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12th century.
The principal family established their base at Athenry, while branches of the family settled in various parts of Counties Galway and Offaly. Bermingham is closely tied with Irish history, particularly noticeable with landmarks like Bermingham Castle in Athenry and the Bermingham Tower in Dublin.
Today, this surname is common in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora spread across the world particularly the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Irish migration in the 19th and 20th centuries due to events such as the Great Famine largely contributed to the worldwide dispersal of Irish surnames.
Variations of the surname Bermingham
The surname Bermingham originates from the large city of Birmingham in England. With time, language shifts, and emigration, variations and similar surnames have emerged from this original surname. Some other forms derived from the original surname include: Birmingham, Berminghame, Bermyngham, Bremingam, and Birmingam.
In Ireland, the surname was Anglicised as MacFeórais or MacPheorais from the Gaelic Mac Piarais, meaning 'son of Piaras', a variant of the name Peter. This name morphed into Bermingham in many cases.
Additionally, there are other related surnames, which might have slightly morphed, such as Berham, Burmingham, Berminham, or Bearmingham. Some of the other alternate spellings could be Burmington, Bormingham, Burminham, and Bermington amongst others.
It's also quite possible that some families altered the name slightly for their own reasons over the centuries, leading to a further array of minor variations on the surname. Finally, some people might use their city or town of origin as their surname after emigrating, which might also explain some geographical variations. However, these tend to be more rare.
Bear in mind that the exact variations can depend on specific family traditions, regional accents and dialects, and individual choices.
Famous people with the name Bermingham
- Edward de Bermingham: An Anglo-Irish nobleman in the 14th century.
- Shane Bermingham: A professional rugby player from Ireland.
- James Bermingham: An Irish politician who served in the Irish House of Commons.
- John Bermingham: An Irish judge who served as the Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas.
- Katherine de Bermingham: An Anglo-Irish noblewoman in the 14th century.
- Sir Walter de Bermingham: An Anglo-Irish knight active during the Edward Bruce invasion of Ireland.
- Lady Elizabeth de Bermingham: She was an Anglo-Irish noblewoman and the wife of the 4th Earl of Kildare.
- Richard Bermingham: He was the Bishop of Clonfert, Ireland, from 1516 to 1548. Please note that many of these individuals are historical figures, as there don't appear to be many contemporary famous people with the last name Bermingham. The Bermingham name has a long history in Ireland and is connected to the Bermingham barony, a title of nobility in the Peerage of Ireland.