Surname Burrows - Meaning and Origin

Embracing Identity through DNA: An iGENEA Journey into the Burrows Ancestry

The divulgement of my DNA testing at iGENEA offered an insightful journey into my ancestry. Surprising revelations about my family’s origins, migrations and participation in significant historical events opened new dimensions of understanding about my identity. A striking sense of belonging emerged from discovering intricate aspects of my heritage, shaping a more authentic notion of self.

H. Burrows

Burrows: What does the surname Burrows mean?

The last name Burrows is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name derived from a place. Burrows is typically found in England as it is believed to be of Old English origin. It was derived from the white or brow hill which was called burgh or burh. It can also refer to a dwelling or a hole of some type.

The name was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Burgh and Burgeh which indicated that its bearers at that time were of some importance. Hotels and villas bearing the Burrows name have been found in England since at least the 12th century.

With the rise of industry and changes in population areas, quite a few families with the Burrows name made the move to larger cities and migrated across the world. The name is now widely found in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Australia, and throughout the rest of the world.

The variant forms of the name Burrows include Burh, Burges, Burgoyne, Burrell, Berrill, Barril, Buryl, Borrill, Bourill and Borrell. The meaning of the name is "dweller on a hill" which is suggestive of a person who had achieved some position or importance.

The sense of community that came with those bearing such an illustrious name has left many positive memories for generations to come, with many families across the world yet bearing the Burrows name.

Burrows: Where does the name Burrows come from?

The last name Burrows is a common name across the English-speaking world. In the United States, the surname Burrows is found mainly in the Midwestern and Western states, especially in the Plains States and Mid-Atlantic region. It is also popular in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Burrows surname is still especially prevalent in those areas of Britain and Ireland where it has been historically common. Lancashire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Devon, Suffolk, and Essex are all English counties that still have a significant number of people with the Burrows surname. The Burrows surname is also commonly found in Scotland, particularly on the East Coast.

The origins of the Burrows name can be traced back to pre-Norman times, when it was more commonly known as 'Burgh', a place name for the borough of Beverley, in Yorkshire. Later, the 's' suffix was added to the name. From these small beginnings, Burrows has become a widespread family name, with an estimated 30,000 bearers in the UK, and many more in the United States and other English-speaking countries around the world.

Burrows is associated with many branches of British society. During the 19th and 20th centuries, some of the most well-known people with the Burrows surname include a British Prime Minister (Herbert Asquith), a famous couple of actors (Cecil and Lilian), a national cricket player (Harold Burrows), a pioneering Australian aviator (Amy Johnson), and an influential American Christian writer (John Bunyan). All these people have helped to make the Burrows surname even more widespread across the globe.

Variations of the surname Burrows

Burrows is a surname of Anglo-Saxon and British Isles origins. It derives from the Old English words for “fortification” and “city” and was an occupational surname given to someone who built fortifications or who was connected to the defense of a city.

The variants and spellings of this surname include Burrow, Burrowe, Burro, Burr, Burowes, Burgh, Burgue, Bourgh, Boroughs, and Burghs.

The surname Burrows could also refer to a family who descended from a man with the first name Burroughs or the place name Burroughs (also spelled Burrowes) in England.

The Burrows surname is generally common throughout England and in British Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the surname is less common but still present.

Surnames with similar origins and spellings include Burriss, Burrous, Burrus, Burress, and Burres.

Thus, Burrows is a popular surname that has multiple spellings and variants, as well as numerous family lines descended from different places and people.

Famous people with the name Burrows

• Alan Burrows: Football chief executive
• Jake Burrows: Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman
• Rudy Burright Burrows: Jazz and Swing musician
• Terry Burrows: British music journalist
• Leonard Burrows: Northumberland benefactor and soldier
• John Burrows: Australian geologists
• Allen Burrows: American actor
• Nick Burrows: Director of Newcastle University Theater
• Sandy Burrows: former British actress
• Danny Burrows: American attorney and legal writer
• Edward Burrows: Represented Ontario in the Legislative Assembly of Canada
• Jennifer Burrows: First American female to summit the seven summits
• Russell Burrows: American football player
• Jonathan Burrows: British modern dancer and choreographer
• Ben Burrows: British broadcast journalist
• Alex Burrows: Canadian professional ice hockey forward
• Allister Burrows: British theatre producer
• Dave Burrows: former NHL ice hockey player
• Harold Burrows: English actor
• Jack Burrows: British actor, director, and producer.

Other surnames

BurroughBurroughsBurrowBurrowes