Surname Bury - Meaning and Origin

Bury: What does the surname Bury mean?

The surname Bury is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "burh," which means "fortified place" or "castle." It is generally viewed as a topographic surname for someone who lived near a fortified place, tower or a city with walls. It's also possible that the name originated as a local surname, referring to persons who originated from places called Bury, such as Bury in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Lancashire, or West Sussex in England. Over time, the spelling of the surname has seen variations including Bury, Burye, Burie and others. It should be noted that the name Bury may have different origins in different regions or countries outside England, having diverse meanings rooted in local languages and histories. Like many surnames, the exact history of the name Bury can be complex and multifaceted, revealing layers of linguistic, regional and personal history.

Bury: Where does the name Bury come from?

The last name Bury is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a geographical surname derived from various places in England called Bury, from the Old English term "burh" or "byrig", which means "fortified enclosure" or "stronghold". The name could also have been used to describe someone living near a hill or a borough.

The surname Bury is commonly found in England, predominantly in the Greater Manchester and Lancashire areas, due to the presence of the town called Bury in Greater Manchester. The name is also widespread in Australia, Canada, and the United States, likely a result of immigration from England. Files in the National Archives suggest that a large number of Burys emigrated to America during the 17th century, potentially as a response to religious and political instability.

Despite the geographical spread, however, Bury is a relatively rare surname. As of 2014, it was ranked as the 8,371st most common surname in the world.

Variations of the surname Bury

The surname Bury may be of English or French origin. From the English origin, it is a toponymic surname derived from a geographical locality "at the borough," a fortified town. It can be found in pre-7th century Old English as "burg" or "burh." Variations in English may include: Burry, Burrey, Burgh, Burrow, and Borough.

In French, Bury is considered a patronymic surname derived from the name of the father or ancestor of the bearer. The surname Bury in French is believed to be a variant of the Old French given name "Bourg."

For the English surname, there are also a few similar or corresponding surnames that belonged to the same Old English word root. They are, for example, Burye, Burri, Burr, and Boris. Noticeable variations and derivatives from France may include: Burie, Buris, Bourie, and Boury.

These names can be found in many historical documentations with a multitude of spellings, each of which depends on a number of factors including the phonetic interpretation by the scribe recording the name, the dialect of the region, the translation between different languages, changes over time, and so on.

Famous people with the name Bury

• Pol Bury: A well-known Belgian sculptor known for his kinetic art.
• Priscilla Susan Bury: An English botanist and illustrator of the 19th century best known for her brilliant illustrations in "A Selection of Hexandrian Plants."
• Thomas Bury: An English architect of the 19th century famous for his ornate Gothic designs.
• Edward Bury: A British locomotive manufacturer and prominent steam engine builder during the 19th century.
• William Bury: Executed for the murder of his wife, he is one of the suspects in the notorious Jack the Ripper cases.
• Richard de Bury: An English priest, teacher, bishop, writer, and bibliophile from the 14th century.
• John Bury: A 20th-century British set and costume designer, highly regarded in theater circles for his groundbreaking designs.
• Thomas Talbot Bury: An early 19th century British architect and lithographer best known for his drawings of the expanding railway network in Britain.
• Lady Charlotte Bury: A British novelist of the 19th century particularly known for her scandalous 'tell-all' diaries of high society.
• Admiral Sir Charles Bury: A Royal Navy officer who fought in both World Wars.

Other surnames

BurBurcakBurcalowBurchBurchardBurchardiBurchardsBurchardtBurchartBurchartzBurcherdBurchertBurchetBurchettBurchhardBurchhardtBurchhartBurckBürckBurckardBurckardsBurckardtBurckartBurckelBürckelBurckenbeilBurckenbeilerBurckenbeinBürckerBurckert