Surname Burdett - Meaning and Origin

Burdett: What does the surname Burdett mean?

The surname Burdett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th-century term "burhgeat" or "burg-geat." The term combines "burg" or "burh" which means "fort," and "geat" which refers to a "gate." Thus, the literal translation of Burdett is considered "fort gate." It was typically assigned as a nickname to those residing near a fort gate or worked there. Over time, it evolved into a surname passed down in families. The name was first recorded as 'Burghet' in the 12th century. The variant spelling 'Burdett' that we see more commonly today started appearing in the 16th century. Like many surnames, Burdett also has different spellings like Burget and Bourget in different regions. It's worth noting that surnames like Burdett can provide a glimpse into the geographical roots and occupation of our ancestors.

Burdett: Where does the name Burdett come from?

The surname Burdett is of Anglo-Saxon origin, particularly from the Old French firstname 'Burdo', which was often given to short men, and later became a surname. It was brought to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066. "Burdett" is a diminutive form of this name, meaning "little Burdo".

The earliest occurrence of the surname was Roger Burdet, sworn in the "Domesday Book of 1086" as a tenant in Yorkshire. The name evolved over the years from Burdet to Burdett and variations such as Burdit, Birditt also emerged. The Burdett family was later established in the county of Leicestershire, England, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Today, the Burdett surname is found most commonly in English-speaking countries, particularly in England. It is also quite prevalent in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. There's an area in Kansas, USA, named Burdett in the late 19th century after notable English explorer and settler Robert Burdett. Thus, the surname might be more common in such areas with historical connections. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission also lists numerous Burdetts across commonwealth nations who were casualties of the two world wars.

Variations of the surname Burdett

The surname Burdett is of Old French origin, often considered to be a diminutive form of the personal name "Burd" or "Bird". Its variations include Burdet, Burditt, Burdit, Burditte, Bordet, Birdett, and Burde. It was introduced into England following the Norman conquest in 1066, in the forms of "Burdet" or "Bordet".

There is a tendency for surnames over centuries to undergo changes in spelling and sometimes even in pronunciation, hence the development of numerous variants for the surname Burdett. In medieval recordings of the surname, it was often found as "Burdettus" and "Bordet". The name has been particularly associated with Leicestershire and, to some extent, Derbyshire in England.

In certain areas with French influence, surnames such as Burdeau, Burdeaux, and Burdet are common and might share the same or similar origins. However, it's worth noting that not all surnames with similar spelling or pronunciation necessarily share the same origin.

In the US, some Burdetts anglicized their surname to Bird or Byrd, which are now considered American variants of the name. Meanwhile, the surnames Burdette and Burditt found in the US are likely variations of Burdett.

Famous people with the name Burdett

• John Burdett: A British crime novelist, best known for a series of novels set in Bangkok.
• David Burdett: A British actor who appeared in numerous films and TV series.
• Sir Francis Burdett: A British reformist politician who served in the House of Commons in the early 19th century.
• Thomas Burdett: An Irish cricketer who represented his country in the 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament.
• Matt Burdett: A former American football player.
• Linda Burdett: An Australian Paralympic athlete who competed in the 1984 Summer Paralympics.
• Nick Burdett: A British actor known for roles in films such as Never Let Go (2015) and The Forgotten Battle (2020).
• Francis Burdett Money-Coutts: The seventh Baron Latymer, a British poet and banker.
• Sophie Burdett: A New Zealand rower who has represented her country at the World Rowing Championships.
• Jonathan Burdett: An American economist specializing in macroeconomics and financial economics.
• Angela Burdett-Coutts: A British philanthropist and the beneficiary of the massive Coutts banking fortune.
• Nicky Burdett: A South African racing driver who competed in the South African Formula Ford Championship.

Other surnames

BurdenBurdetBurdette