Surname Burrowes - Meaning and Origin

Burrowes: What does the surname Burrowes mean?

The last name Burrowes is of English origin. It is believed to originally have been a local name from a place called Burroughs, which is an Old English name for a fortified enclosure or small settlement. The name eventually changed to Burrowes, with the ‘es’ added on as a possessive form.

The first recorded instance of the Burrowes name dates back to 1379, when William Burrows was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls. As the name spread, it was spelled in many different ways, such as Burrows, Burrowe, Burrowes, Borron, Borrons, Barrens and Barrons, depending on where in England the family lived, and the dialect style of the time.

As more and more people emigrated to other countries, the Burrowes family spread from the UK to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. Although the spelling may vary, today it is commonly found as Burrowes in the UK and other English speaking countries.

Today, people with the last name Burrowes are associated with families of strong moral values. They understand the concept of hard work and dedication to achieve their goals. They are known for their loyalty and family connection, with a strong sense of identity.

Overall, the last name Burrowes is rooted in a long history and is held in high esteem. It is a reminder of hard work and dedication to build a family name that stands for something, and it is a reminder of family and loyalty.

Burrowes: Where does the name Burrowes come from?

The last name Burrowes is most commonly seen in southern England and Australia. It is also quite common in some parts of North America and Europe.

The Burrowes surname has its origins in England as a derivative of the Norman French term 'burh'. It was initially used to describe a fort built to protect a settlement from attack in the Middle Ages.

The first usage of the Burrowes surname appeared in the 13th century in Cornwall and Devon – two southwestern counties of England. From then onwards, the Burrowes surname spread throughout England and continued to gain popularity.

In the 17th century, many English settlers migrated to North America taking the Burrowes surname with them. Some of the earliest traces of the name in North America can be found in New England, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Later, towards the turn of the century, further Burrowessettlers were seen in Ontario, Canada, and in regions of the Caribbean.

In the 19th century, there was an influx of Burrowes immigrants to Australia, followed by significant immigration to the United States. The Burrowes surname continues to be popular in all these countries today.

Variations of the surname Burrowes

Burrowes is a surname of English origin. Its variants can be spelled Burrows, Borrows, Burroughs, Burrows, Borrows, Burrow, Burr, Burrowe, Burrowes, and Burros.

The surname Burrowes originated as a habitational name from various places named Burrowes. For example, Burrowes in East Lothian, Scotland or Burrowes in Gloucestershire, England.

The surname Burrowes also had some other derivations. Some with the surname Burrowes derived it from the Middle English word Burgh, meaning “fortified hill”. Additionally, some surnames were derived from the Old Norse word bjarg, meaning “cliff” or “rock”.

Variations of the surname Burrowes include Burr, Burrowe, and Burrrowes. These variations are most likely due to dialectal and linguistic differences. For example, Burr may be phonetic spelling of the original form Burrowes.

Surnames of similar origin to Burrowes include Burrell, Borrows, Burke, Berry, and Barry. All of these surnames derived from some similar Old English or Old Norse words related to environment and dwellings.

Overall, the surname Burrowes is an old and well established surname from England. Its variants, spellings, and related surnames are reflective of its beginnings in the Middle Ages as the inhabitants of fortresses or cliff dwellings.

Famous people with the name Burrowes

• Andrew Burrowes: Former professional soccer player. He represented Jamaica in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
• Beth Burrowes: British actress who has appeared in a number of TV shows and films including Small Island, Upstairs Downstairs, and Doctor Who.
• William Burrowes: Irish composer of numerous works of art song and worship lyrics in the 20th century.
• Patricia Burrowes: A Dominican Republic screenwriter, producer, and journalist. She won the talent show El Gran Bloque junto a su sonido in 1984.
• Eileen Burrowes: Award-winning Australian actress best known for her roles in Greenpeace, Two Weeks with the Queen, and All Saints.
• William Burrowes: British former Royal Marine who served in the Falklands War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service.
• Ann Burrowes: British novelist known for her romance novels.
• Lauren Burrowes: Contemporary romance author who has written several New York Times bestselling books.
• John Burrowes: Australian actor who has been in numerous television shows including Newstopia, Blue Heelers, and Neighbours.
• Victoria Burrowes: British actress and singer. She appeared in the UK production of Cats and was a backing vocalist for artists including Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury.

Other surnames

BurrowBurrows