Surname Burgess - Meaning and Origin

The Diverse Ancestral Vestiges of the Burgess Surname Uncovered: An iGENEA DNA Test Narrative

The iGENEA DNA test I took recently revealed fascinating insights about the surname Burgess. The results pointed to origins in English and Scottish regions with close ties to haplogroups common in Western Europe. The data also hinted at connections to regions influenced by ancient Vikings, indicating potential Norse ancestry. It also unveiled a likely linkage to the I1 haplogroup dominant in northern Germany and Scandinavia, suggesting Germanic and Scandinavian ties within my family tree.

O. Burgess

Burgess: What does the surname Burgess mean?

The surname Burgess is of Old French origin, derived from the term "burgeis" which originally means a freeman of a fortified town. Primarily, the term was used for a citizen who had pledged allegiance to a feudal lord in return for certain privileges and protection. "Burgeis" has its roots in the Late Latin word "burgensis", which means "inhabitant of a fortified town". So, the surname Burgess may suggest the trade or status of an ancestor who lived in a fortress or a walled town, or perhaps their position as a freeman or citizen in such a town. Over time, the meaning of Burgess transitioned to include members of Parliament in British history. Ultimately, the surname suggests a connection to urban living, municipal governance, or community leadership. This surname has variations such as Burg, Burges, Burgh, and more, and is common throughout the United Kingdom and its former colonies.

Burgess: Where does the name Burgess come from?

The last name Burgess is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from England. The term 'burgess' originally referred to a freeman of a borough or a fortified town. Some notable people were given this as a title which eventually became a surname. It's likely that the name was used to refer to someone who held land in return for services provided to a lord or communal organization.

Burgess is common in English-speaking countries mainly in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In Scotland, it refers to a member of a corporation or borough. It is also common in the United States of America among descendants of English and Irish immigrants. More specifically, states like New York, Virginia, and South Carolina have significant populations bearing the surname Burgess. As per data from Forebears, an ancestry and genealogy reference, the Burgess surname is most prevalent in the United States today, followed by England and Australia. It is also the 798th most common surname in the world held by approximately 1 in 10,000 people.

Variations of the surname Burgess

The surname Burgess is of English and Welsh origin and has undergone various spelling alterations over time. Some variations include Burgeis, Burges, Burgis, Burguss, Burgress, and Burgeys. Other traditional variants include Bourgeois, which is the French equivalent of the surname, and the Scottish version Burg.

Variations can also occur as a result of phonetic spellings, regional dialects, and translation errors. For example, some families may choose to Anglicize their surnames, leading to additional variations like Burgesson or even Burge.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, the Bourgeois and Burges families, who would have held similar societal roles in town life, can also be considered. It's important to note that spelling variations, even within families, were common due to high levels of illiteracy and the lack of standardization on spelling rules until recent centuries. Hence, sometimes Burg, Borg, or Burge may also be used interchangeably with Burgess.

In some cases, these surnames may be patronymic as well, meaning "son of Burge" could be a potential derivation. The Burgess surname appears throughout English and Welsh genealogy records, indicating a strong historical presence in those regions.

Famous people with the name Burgess

• Anthony Burgess: An English writer and composer, known for his dystopian satirical novel "A Clockwork Orange."
• Guy Burgess: A British diplomat and Soviet agent, part of the infamous Cambridge Spy Ring during the Cold War.
• Tituss Burgess: An American actor and singer, known for his role in the Netflix series "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
• Michael Burgess: A U.S. Representative from Texas.
• Gelett Burgess: A renowned American artist, art critic, poet, author, and humorist.
• John Burgess: An Australian radio broadcaster, known for hosting the game show "Catch Phrase."
• Eric Burgess: A British journalist and space consultant who, played a key role in the planning of the Voyager Golden Record.
• Melissa Burgess: Renowned female cricketer from Australia, who played for Tasmania and Victoria.
• Mitchell Burgess: An American television producer and writer, known for her work on "The Sopranos."
• Frank Gelett Burgess: Famous American artist also known for writing and his poetry.
• Calvin Burgess: A prolific Christian evangelist, author and founder of several global charitable organizations.
• Tim Burgess: Vocalist of the English alternative rock band "The Charlatans.". Remember, there may be countless less-renowned individuals who share the last name Burgess.

Other surnames

BurgeBürgeBurgelBürgelBürgelinBürgeltBurgemeesterBurgemeisterBürgemeisterBurgenBurgenlehnerBurgerBürgerBurgerdtBurgermeisterBürgermeisterBurgersBürgersBurgesBurgestBurgetBurgey