Surname Burlison - Meaning and Origin

Burlison: What does the surname Burlison mean?

The surname Burlison is of English origin, hailing from the Medieval period. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Burley, which itself derives from the Old English words, "burh" meaning "fortress" or "castle" and "leah" meaning "woodland clearing." Thus, Burlison translates roughly to "son of Burley," with the latter implying someone who lived near a castle in a woodland clearing. Like many surnames, it was likely used to identify individuals based on their location or their father's name. Variations of the surname can include Burlinson, Burleson, and Burleston among others. As with all surnames, the spelling variations have evolved over centuries and have been influenced by regional dialects and phonetic spelling. Despite these changes, the core insight into the early family's geographical or familial identity remains. Today, individuals with the surname Burlison live in multiple countries around the world, carrying with them the historical identity encapsulated in the surname.

Burlison: Where does the name Burlison come from?

Burlison is a surname of English origin, speculated to be derived from a place name, though the exact location is unclear. Variations of the name such as Burleson, Burrelson, and Burleighson, suggest a possible derivation from the Old English words 'burh' (a fortified settlement) and 'leah' (woodland clearing).

The surname appears to have early medieval roots, which indicates it may have spread around the United Kingdom and elsewhere due to the historical movement and migrations of peoples. Today, it can be found in several English-speaking countries.

According to surname distribution maps and databases, Burlison is predominantly found in the United States, particularly concentrated in Tennessee, followed by Texas and Oklahoma. In addition, there are smaller concentrations of this surname in Canada, Australia, and England. As with many surnames, the dispersion could be attributed to emigration patterns, particularly during times of colonization, migrations, or economic opportunity. Despite these trends, the surname remains relatively rare overall.

Variations of the surname Burlison

The surname Burlison might have several variants including Burleson, Burlison, Burlesen, Burlson, and Burlichen. Variations in spelling of the same surname can occur due to misinterpretations while translating from one language to another, use of dialects, or simply misspellings. Similar or related surnames are often found in different cultures due to migration, intermarriage, or conversion.

This particular name, Burlison seems to have roots in England and perhaps derived from the medieval English personal name Berold or Berwald. It may also be a locational name, deriving from a place and typically suffixed by "son". For instance, a place named "Burl" or similar could give rise to Burl-ison ("son of Burl").

The surname might also have variants depending on the culture, language or country, such as in French, German, Dutch or other languages, though it seems predominantly an English name.

It's important to note that while these are possible variants and origins, the only way to know a specific individual’s exact lineage and name origin would be through personal genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Burlison

• Johnny Burnette: Although his last name is Burnette, not Burlison, he's an important figure here as he was a member of the rock and roll trio, the "Rock and Roll Trio," alongside Paul Burlison. Their music greatly influenced the genre.
• Paul Burlison: He was an American pioneer Rockabilly guitarist and a founding member of The Rock and Roll Trio band.
• Alan Burlison: A British software engineer known for his contributions to Java development.
• Tim B. Burlison: He's an American filmmaker known for his work in documentaries and short films.
• Brad Burlison: A contemporary author best known for his Rory's Choice series of books.
• Charlie Burlison: He was an American politician who served as an Arizona State Senator. Please note that the last name "Burlison" is not highly common among famous personalities, so there might be a limited number of celebrities with this surname.

Other surnames

Burlisson