Burgess Surname History

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Origins Of The Family Name

During earlier years, people began adopting surnames to distinguish themselves from others having the same name. By and large, the surnames that each individual adopted reflected their family or social status or, simply, what trade they held as a profession. Much can be said of the Burgess surname as its origins possibly dates back as far as the 12th or 13th century and exists in several spelling variations to this very day. Still, it was a surname independently taken by many different people throughout Great Britain in earlier times. The Burgess surname rose from the status of these individuals as freemen or "burgesses" of their home borough, burgh or burg.

In the strictest sense, the word "freeman" originated during the Middle Ages and came from the craft guilds(i.e. Masons?) who earned their social status through their crafts and rose above common peasantry of the country districts throughout Europe. As freemen, they were not obliged to serve the feudal lords. Here, Burgess is derived from the Middle English word "burgeys" as well as from the Old French word "burgeis" - both meaning one and in the same. Since the earliest origins of the Burgess surname, it has appeared in many different spelling variations. Some examples would be: Burgess, Burges, Burgis, Burgiss, Borges and Burkas.

For the most part, a Burgess was a member of a community who was neither of royal lineage, a common peasant or indentured servant. Depending upon the locale and cultural background of the people, a Burgess was basically "Middle Class" among the people of their kind.

In England, historically, an English Burgess was a free person renting land with an annual worth of forty shillings. Additionally, the English Burgess was entitled to and granted rights to hold offices in local government. Hence, this could have been one of the earliest beginnings of the "career politician" in our present day government. Also of historical importance is the fact that a Burgess could maintain his rights and pass them on to his sons.

The practice of Primogeniture was essentially the law of early England. The practice gave preference to the oldest son and his descendants in the inheritance of property or position or both. In much of medieval Europe, land was the basis of aristocracy and this practice preserved aristocratci stsus by maintaining estates whole or intact. Here, the eldest son or brother often inherits property (maintaining position) and managed the estate as a trustee on behalf of his younger brothers and their families.

To the north, the Scottish folk held a somewhat different definition to the title of Burgess. To the Scots, this name implied more in the way of civic status rather than being financially able to rent or lease land. In a similar way to that of an English Burgess, the Scottish "cousin" also possessed and maintained full "municipal" rights.

Fading Meanings

Below are my personal thoughts based upon my casual reading of Early American History...

In the foregoing, what I had previously learned is fairly well illustrated for all intents and purposes. While the origins of the Burgess family surname clearly indicates English, Scottish and Irish origins, there does come a point when the original meaning of the surname becomes obscured and lost. Then it becomes just a name. During my casual reading, the Burgess (with the double "s") is often attributed to Irish origins. However, it is also often mentioned that the Irish settled, influenced and inhabited areas of what is now known as England and Scotland.

Adding more intrigue to bolster the Burgess surname history was the formation of the House Of Burgesses in Jamestown in colonial Virginia in 1619. It is of my understanding that the House Of Burgesses was created and established by local land owners to govern local political affairs that paralleled, but not to rival the proper British parliament. I should note here that the House Of Burgesses, in the Virginia colony, was similar (in function) to the British House Of Commons back in England. As the American Revolution began, the importance and meaning of the name "Burgess" may have begun to fade as the House Of Burgesses was disbanded by the close of the 18th century..

This Page Was Created And Edited By: Daniel K. Burgess

This Page Was Last Modified: Friday, 17 March, 2000 19:25:16