Surname Burris - Meaning and Origin

Digging Deep into My Genes with iGENEA: An Insight into the Surname Burris

Engaging with iGENEA's comprehensive DNA test offered a fascinating revelation of my familial heritage and a deeper understanding of the historical journey embedded in my surname, Burris. It utilized Y-DNA testing for paternal lineage and mtDNA testing for maternal lineage, making it gender-inclusive and detail-oriented in revealing ancestral histories. The Surname Project enlightened me of my surname's Celtic origins and subsequent migration patterns.

H. Burris

Burris: What does the surname Burris mean?

The last name Burris is of English and Scottish origin and is derived from the Medieval English personal name "Bur(r)is," which is a variant of Boris or Burroughs. The name Boris is further derived from the Old Germanic name "Burg-hard", which means ‘strong as a castle’. This surname could also have been a geographical surname for people who lived near a borough or a fortified town. These names were often adopted as identifiers when people moved from one location to another. Variations of this surname include Burrows, Burriss, Burras, Burrows, Burrish, Booreis, Burys, and Booris among others. Names with similar meanings in other European cultures include Burgess, Burghard, and Bourbon. Therefore, Burris represents strength, resilience, and possibly signifies a person who comes from a fortified place.

Burris: Where does the name Burris come from?

The surname Burris is believed to be originally from the pre-medieval English period, deriving from the Old English words 'burh', meaning 'fortress' or 'castle', and 'ric', meaning 'rich or powerful'. It was typically given to someone who lived near a strong fort or held power within a fortress. The surname in its various forms – Burris, Burrows, Borrows, Burroughs, and Barras – can be found in old English church registers dating back to the late middle ages.

Today, the Burris surname is commonly found in the United States, originating from immigrants who arrived in North Carolina and Virginia in the 1630s and 1640s. In the United States, Burris is most heavily concentrated in the states of Indiana and Arkansas. It is less common, but still found, in England and other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Burris

The surname Burris has various forms which could be due to regional variations, Anglicisation, or simply errors in recording. These variations include Burrus, Burriss, Burress, Buris, Burros, Bouris, Borris, and Buras.

It could also be a variation of the surname Burrows, which is of English origin and is a topographic name for someone who lived by a hill or tumulus, derived from the Old English 'beorg', meaning hill, or a geographic name from any of the various places named with this word.

Another possible origin is from the German surname Borries, an ethnic name for a Prussian (Preuss) or a nickname from the personal name Burs or Buri. The surname Burrus is of Latin origin, deriving from the Roman Burrius family.

The Burris surname has also been found among Ashkenazi Jews, possibly an Anglicisation of a similar-sounding name.

It's important to note that the presence of spelling variations does not necessarily mean a familial connection; surname origins can be based on occupation, region, personal name, or various other factors. DNA testing can help to ascertain the likelihood of a shared genealogical origin.

Famous people with the name Burris

• Roland Burris: an American politician and attorney who served as a United States Senator from Illinois, and also the Illinois Attorney General.
• Terence Burris: an American writer, producer and director, known for his work in the film industry.
• J. Stanley Burris: a well-known mathematician notable for his contribution to universal algebra.
• Todd Burris: widely recognized as a former guitarist for the punk rock band Face to Face.
• Jeff Burris: a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League.
• Pat Burris: an American judoka who competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Brad Burris: a professional football player who played as a defensive back for three seasons for the Chicago Bears.
• Tony Burris: A notable American football coach.
• William S. Burroughs: A famous author, although he technically doesn't have the exact last name 'Burris,' but Burroughs is worth mentioning due to the similarities and his widespread recognition.
• Charles Burris: an American sportscaster best known for covering Major League Baseball. It's important to note that the above personalities come from a wide range of fields and not just from one area of expertise.

Other surnames

BurriBurrichterBurrierBurrillBurriss