Surname Bourn - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bourn: What does the surname Bourn mean?
The last name Bourn is of English origin and derives from the Old English term "burna", which means "stream" or "spring". It was initially used as a geographical surname for individuals living near a stream or a spring. The name has several variations in spelling, including Bourne, Bournes, and Burns among others. Over time, it has been adopted across the world, influenced by migration and colonization. In some cases, the name Bourn may also be occupational, referring to someone who worked at or managed a stream used for industrial purposes, such as a mill stream. The surname Bourn presents a connection to nature, water, and geographical placement that played a pivotal role in ancient societies. Notable people with this surname include American film producer Albert R. Bourn and British director Danny Boyle, originally known as Daniel Bourn.
Order DNA origin analysisBourn: Where does the name Bourn come from?
The surname Bourn can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon England and is of toponymic origin, which means it is derived from the name of a place where the original bearer lived or held land. This last name comes from the Old English term "burna", which means "spring", "stream", or "fountain". The Bourn as a surname denotes someone living by such a geographic entity. The first recorded spelling of the family name is Walter de la Burne in 1180, in Dorset, England during the reign of King Henry II.
Today, the surname Bourn can be found in many English-speaking countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, England, among others. While it is not extraordinarily common, it is best known perhaps in the United States due to the visibility of several popular figures bearing this surname, such as the baseball player Michael Bourn. However, its prevalence as a surname varies across different regions of these countries. In the UK, Bourn is more prevalent in Cambridgeshire, likely due to the existence of a village named Bourn in that county.
Variations of the surname Bourn
The surname "Bourn" has multiple variants, spellings, and origins, which are influenced by diverse languages, cultures, and geographical regions over history. Some variants of "Bourn" might include Bourne, Bourns, Burns, Byrne, and Born. Depending on the geographic area, the surname can also have slightly different versions like De Bourne, Borne, Borner, Bornn, and Bouron.
In some regions, the spelling might slightly change to adapt to local dialects and languages. For example, Bourns, Bournes, and Bournes are extended forms of "Bourn". Bourneville, Bourneuf, and Bourneville are composite forms of the surname with French influence.
These last names could have originated from the English "Burn" or the Irish "Byrne". However, it is said that "Bourn" or "Bourne" usually refers to a place near a stream or a small river in Old English, which indicates that these surnames could also be of English origin. The German name "Born" or "Börn", and the French name "Bouron" might have also transformed into "Bourn" over time.
It's always important to note that the variations of surnames can be vastly influenced by a multitude of factors including language dialects, geographical locations, and historical events.
Famous people with the name Bourn
- Matt Bourn: A former Major League Baseball center fielder who played for teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians.
- Carly Bourn: An American actress best known for her roles in TV series such as "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."
- Michael Bourn: An American professional baseball outfielder who has played for various teams in Major League Baseball like the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles.
- Jonathan Bourn: A famous British investigative journalist, known for his works in BBC.
- James Bourn: Notably known British landscape designer and architect, famous for his works in Kew Gardens in London.
- Nikita Bourn: A Canadian born actress and model, who has appeared in both film and television.
- Sylvia Bourn: Known as a mystic, author, and spiritual teacher, Sylvia has published many books on spirituality and personal growth.
- George Bourn: An English cricket player who played for Hampshire.
- Mark Bourn: He is a well-established English radio presenter.
- Brian Bourn: A professional American video game developer who has worked in projects like Ryse: Son of Rome and Crysis.