Surname Burwell - Meaning and Origin
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Burwell: What does the surname Burwell mean?
The surname Burwell is of English origin and is associated with the Burwell family, who held a seat in Cambridgeshire for many years. Meaning ‘the well near the stronghold’, the name would have been given to a person living near a fortified site. It is likely the Burwell family took their original name from the village of Burwell, located in East Cambridgeshire, England, where the family is believed to have come from.
The Burwell family played a significant role in the British social and political landscape over the centuries. The family was first active during the Norman Conquest, when Bartholomew de Burwell was mentioned in 1185. Members of the Burwell family have since held various offices in the British government, such as positions in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Most likely of Norman origin, the Burwell surname is a common one, with a variety of spelling variations in different countries. Common spelling variations of Burwell include Burwell, Burwelle, Burwill, Burwille, Berewelle, Burrell, and Burhul.
Overall, the Burwell surname carries with it a long history of British nobility and achievement. Its origins likely date back to the Norman Conquest, and many members of the Burwell family have contributed to British society in various ways.
Order DNA origin analysisBurwell: Where does the name Burwell come from?
The surname Burwell is currently most common in the United States, where it is ranked as the 1,344th most frequent surname. It is also found in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, however the frequency is lower in comparison to the U.S.
The Burwell surname originated from two places: Normandy and England. In Normandy, Burwell derived from the personal name Beurré, which translates to 'butter'. In England, it comes from the place-name Burwell in Cambridgeshire, near Cambridge.
Today, Burwell is mostly concentrated in the Northeast and the Southeast regions in the U.S., including states such as Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. There is also a high concentration of Burwells in the Southwest region near states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Other locations that show more significant numbers of Burwells are Utah and Wyoming.
Burwell is a unique surname, and can often be traced back to the same common ancestor. Derek Burwell, an American genealogist, has researched and documented many Burwell family histories. He also created an online database for descendants of the Burwell surname, which continues to be a helpful resource for those researching the Burwell name.
Variations of the surname Burwell
The Burwell surname is thought to have derived from an old English (Anglo-Saxon) personal name, Burghwalle, meaning "of the fortified wall" or "the outer wall". The variants and spellings of this name include Burwal, Burwelle, Burwells, Burwils, Burell, Burrels, Berwelle, Berwal, Berwill, Burmill, Burrich, Borrill, Elburwell, and Birtwell among others.
The Burwell surname could also have developed from other places, such as Burwell in the county of Suffolk in England, and burghwallis, meaning "fortified town". The most popular spelling and spelling variations in England have changed over time, with the "well" being replaced with "will," often as a result of doubtful enunciation.
Surnames related to Burwell include Barkley, Bucky, Burn, Burnell, Bartwell and Byrn. Variations in spelling and pronunciation also exist according to countries and regional language dialects such as Scottish and Irish. In Scotland, for example, the surname might be spelt Burrual, Birwalls, Birchall or even Berris.
The Burwell surname is present in a wide array of countries around the world, including the United States, South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Burwell
- Samuel Burwell: American Civil War brigadier general
- John Peter Burwell: Elder of the Primitive and Refomed Baptist denomination
- Dan Burwell: Professional skateboarder
- Allen Burwell: American golfer
- Greg Burwell: American sculptor
- Katharine Burwell Hunter: Prominent American businesswoman
- Cecil Burwell: British jazz drummer
- Anna Burwell: British stage and film actress
- Malcolm Burwell: American football tight end
- Rufe Burwell: American baseball pitcher