Surname Burt - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
A DNA Journey Through Time: Unravelling the Ancestral Threads of the Burt Lineage
Embarking on a voyage through my DNA with iGENEA has been fascinating. Every gene tells a tale, every chromosome echoes through the hallways of time, unraveling secrets about my ancestry. In particular, the revelation about my surname, Burt, has been striking, shedding light on its Anglo-Saxon origin, a journey tangled within British Isles' roots, its Celtic connections, and its diverse genetic makeup over the centuries.
U. Burt
read moreBurt: What does the surname Burt mean?
The surname Burt is of Old English origin, derived from the personal name ‘Bert’ or the Old English word ‘beorht’ which means ‘bright’ or ‘famous’. The name was often used as a diminutive form of names like Herbert, Robert, and Gilbert. The name may also be a topographic name for someone who lived near a fortress or fortified place, derived from the Middle English term ‘burt’ or ‘bert’ which means ‘fort’. It is predominant in the United States, England and Canada. It was often given to someone who was renowned or famous within their community, hence the element of brightness or fame. There are several variants of the name including Birt, Byrt, Bert, and Burd. Like many surnames, over the centuries, the original meaning and the spelling of the surname Burt has been modified due to migration and cultural changes. Please note that the exact interpretation of this surname may vary based on regional and historical context.
Order DNA origin analysisBurt: Where does the name Burt come from?
The surname Burt is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English personal name "Beorht," itself derived from the ancient word "beorht" meaning "bright" or "famous." It was a common practice to use personal names as surnames after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Although the Burt surname became common in England, especially in areas like Bedfordshire where some of the first recorded spellings of the family name (such as Robert Burt) exist, it has since spread globally with significant populations found in many English-speaking countries.
Today, the Burt surname is particularly common in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In the US, according to the census data from 2000, the surname was most commonly found in the states of Michigan, Colorado, Maine, Montana, and Vermont. In the UK, one can find a high concentration of individuals with the Burt surname in areas such as Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Although the exact distribution of the Burt surname changes over time, it consistently remains prevalent in these regions.
Variations of the surname Burt
The surname Burt is of English origin, primarily derived from a shortened form of the name 'Robert' which means 'bright' or 'famous'. This surname has several variations and spellings due to different inflections, transcription errors, and regional differences. Variations include Burtte, Bert, Burte, and Burtt which have been used interchangeably over the years.
In some cases, the surname Burt also originated from places named Burton in England. Consequently, Burton is also considered a variant of this surname. The spelling can vary dramatically due to historic literacy rates and phonetic spelling, resulting in versions such as Birt, Bert, Byrt, Birte, Burtson, and even Burtune in some very early instances.
The surnames Birt, Bird, Byrd, and Burd also sometimes share their roots with the Burt family, particularly when derived from the Old English 'brid' or 'byrd' meaning a bird, a nickname for a cheerful or active person. These versions typically have additional variants such as Byrt, Byrte, Berd, and Burte. Finally, the surname Burt can also be found in variants like Burtis, Burtenshaw, Burdett, and Burtwell, derived from combined names or geographical locations.
Famous people with the name Burt
- Richard Burt: He is a former U.S. ambassador to Germany.
- Bret Burt: He is well-known in professional disc golf community
- Burt Bacharach: He is an Oscar-winning American composer and songwriter.
- Burt Reynolds: He was an iconic American actor known for roles in films like "Smokey and the Bandit" and television series such as "Gunsmoke".
- Burt Lancaster: He was an award-winning American film actor noted for his athletic physique, blue eyes, and unmistakable grin.
- Burt Ward: Also known as the Robin from the "Batman" television series.
- Burt Young: He is an American actor and author, best known for his role as Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law Paulie Pennino in the Rocky film series.
- Adam Burt: He is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman.
- Burt Kennedy: He was an American screenwriter and director known for his westerns.
- Burt Mustin: He was an American actor and made guest appearances in numerous television shows from the 1950s to 1970s.
- Burt Shavitz: He was an American beekeeper, co-founder of the Burt's Bees personal care products company.