Surname Burman - Meaning and Origin

Burman: What does the surname Burman mean?

The last name Burman is of English and German origin. It may be derived from the Middle English and Old French word berman, meaning “a warrior,” and indicating a person of high rank and heroic qualities. Alternatively, it may be derived from the Old German bur, meaning “brave” or “strong.” The word was also once applied to a person who lived in or near birch woods.

The Burman surname was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066, making it one of the oldest British surnames. Its popularity was likely due in part to the fact that it could be used as a first or last name, giving rise to the distinctive Bermonde and Burman lines of name bearers. In England, Burman may reference a person from the many towns, villages, and hamlets named Bermondsey, Burmanby, or Bermanston.

Today, the Burman surname is used by people from all walks of life, many of whom may not be aware of its ancient origins. As a testament to its longevity, however, variations of the name are still found across the English-speaking world, from Australia, Canada, and the United States to South Africa and India.

Burman: Where does the name Burman come from?

The last name Burman is most commonly found in the country of India, although it is also found in other countries across South and Southeast Asia. Burman is an Indian surname, though its roots can be traced back to a Mongolian tribe and found in many cultures around the world.

In India, the last name Burman is most commonly found in the states of West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. It is also found in smaller pockets in the states of Sikkim, Bihar, and Chattisgarh. In recent times, the surname has spread beyond India, most notably to Myanmar, Thailand, and Singapore.

The meaning of the Burman surname varies depending on the region it is found. In India, the last name is derived from the Sanskrit word “Vamana”, meaning small. In other parts of Asia, the surname has been adopted as a placeholder to protect the language and identity of the original bearers.

In the modern era, the Burman surname is most commonly associated with public service in India, particularly in the fields of politics and education. The late Prime Minister, Mahalanobis Manmohan, was of Burman heritage. Other notable figures from the Burman community include Indian professor-writer Narendra Ken and India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. However, the name is also commonly employed in businesses, emphasizing the breadth of talent that derives from the Burman heritage.

Variations of the surname Burman

The surname Burman has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Byrman, Berme, Bormann, Borman, Bormann, Bormet, Borromeo, Berman, Bergman, and Berghman.

The surname Burman is derived from a Middle High German word ‘burcman’ which means ‘village dweller’. The name first made its appearance in the ancient documents of northern Germany where it was used as a nickname for people who lived in rural areas or villages. It is believed that the name was used to distinguish between people living in the countryside and those living in the cities.

Variants and spellings of the name most likely evolved over time as families moved to new areas and adopted local dialects. As a result, variations of the name can be found throughout Europe, particularly in countries that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The surname Byrman is most likely derived from the spelling ‘burcman’, which was used in tribal names such as the Burgundians, Bavarians, and Burgundy. Other variants such as Berme, Bormann, Borman, Bormann, Bormet, Borromeo, Berman, Bergman, and Berghman are thought to stem from one of these tribal names.

In America, the surname Burman has endured several changes in spelling over the years, most notably with the addition of an extra ‘r’ to the original spelling. This is likely due to the influence of a number of European immigrant groups who had their own versions of the name.

Today, the surname Burman is most common in North America, where it is frequently found among those of Germanic or German-Jewish heritage. As with many surnames, the spelling can vary greatly from family to family, depending on the region they hail from.

Famous people with the name Burman

• Amartya Sen: Nobel Prize laureate and philosopher.
• Rituparno Ghosh: Indian filmmaker, actor and screenplay writer.
• Boney Kapoor: Indian film producer and director.
• Ustad Allarakha Qureshi: Indian tabla player.
• Ronojoy Dam: Indian jazz pianist, composer and educator.
• Jamshed Burman: Indian actor.
• Anuradha Paudwal: Indian singer.
• Ugo Burman: Italian painter.
• Roger Burman: Australian actor.
• Ananda Burman: Indian artist.
• Dipak Burman: Indian cricketer and politician.
• Bhaskar Burman: Indian singer and songwriter.
• Sumer Singh Burman: British actor and filmmaker.
• Anna May Wong: American actress.
• Agneepath Burman: Indian actor and filmmaker.
• Rashmi Burman: Indian fashion designer.
• Jun Burman: Indian musician and songwriter.
• Sujoy Kumar Burman: Indian author.

Other surnames

Burma