Surname Burgh - Meaning and Origin
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Burgh: What does the surname Burgh mean?
The surname Burgh derives from several different sources. It is most likely derived from place-names in Ireland, Scotland, and England, meaning "fortified town." The earliest place-names with this origin are found in early medieval Britain, where there were many fortified settlements. The name Burgh is likely also derived from the Old Norse "Borg," which means fortress, and from a variety of other Germanic languages which also used this word in reference to a fortified settlement.
In some cases, the surname may also have derived from Old High German “burc” or "berg", meaning mountain or hill. This is plausible, particularly in regions of Scotland and Ireland where these words would have been more prevalent.
In modern times, the Burgh surname is a popular one throughout Britain, Ireland, the Americas, and Australia. Although it is uncertain why this surname has been so well adopted, it is likely a combination of its significance within and across many different cultures and its relatively easy pronunciation.
Order DNA origin analysisBurgh: Where does the name Burgh come from?
The last name Burgh is most common today in the Netherlands and in certain parts of Ireland. In the Netherlands, the last name Burgh is an incredibly common toponymic surname for anyone who originated from any of the many 'Burghs' or towns located there. It is most common in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, and Zeeland in the western part of the Netherlands; however, it can also be found in other parts of the country as well. In Ireland, the last name Burgh can be found mostly in County Cork in the southern part of the country, particularly in the area around Cork city.
The last name Burgh most likely has its roots in the Middle Dutch or Old Dutch word "Burch," meaning fortified village or fort. Its distant ancestors were likely knights or soldiers from the Middle Ages who were assigned to guard a particular fortified village or fort and eventually took the place name as their surname. Over time, this surname was mutated and kept by families throughout the Netherlands and Ireland until becoming the very common last name that it is today.
Variations of the surname Burgh
The surname Burgh is an Anglo-Norman-French name derived from the Old French term, burgh, meaning a fortified area or castle. It is also an occupational surname referring to someone in charge of such a stronghold.
The Burgh surname is found in many variant forms including Bourgh, Borge, Burrow and Burroughs. Del Burgo, Burges, Burgeson, Burgis and Bourgeois are all French variants of the same name. It can also be spelled as Burg, Berg and Borge.
The Italian form of the Burgh surname is Del Burgo, which also has the variant spelling of Del Burgh. The name Bergh is a Dutch variant of Burgh. The Swedish variant is Berg, and Bergson and Bergstrom are other forms of the surname.
One variant of the Burgh surname is Burg, which is also a Jewish name, having derived from the towns of Burg and Burgenland in Austria. Historical records show that some Jewish families adopted the name Burgh as a way to avoid persecution and to pass as non-Jews.
The surname Burgh is also seen in various English spellings as Borough, Borrow, Boroughs, Burrows and Burroughs. Burrows is often used as a first name, but it is also a less common spelling of the surname Burgh.
The surname Burgh has spread throughout the world and is found in countries with large colonial empires, such as America, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It is also seen in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Famous people with the name Burgh
- J. D. Salingers: Writer, best known for his novel "The Catcher in the Rye."
- William Pitt the Elder: 18th-century British Prime Minister and statesman.
- John Redcliffe-Maud: Former chairman of British Rail.
- Steve Vai: Internationally acclaimed guitarist and composer.
- Lesley Garrett: Internationally acclaimed classical singer and television presenter.
- Justine Merritt: Winner of "The X Factor" UK 2009.
- J. D. Salinger: Famous American writer and founder of The New Yorker magazine.
- Rob Burgh: Professional hockey player who played for the Washington Capitals and the Nashville Predators.
- John Burgh: British politician and national advisor on defence and transport.
- Bob Burgh: British actor and television presenter known for his roles in "Grange Hill", "The Bill", and "Eastenders".