Surname Bur - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bur: What does the surname Bur mean?
The last name Bur is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word “bur”, which means “dweller” or “inhabitant”. It was likely originally a topographical surname, indicating someone who lived in or near a fort or castle.
The Bur surname is found mostly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and other parts of northern France. Today it is also found in certain areas of the United States, such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The name Bur is also seen in English as Boor and in French as Boer. Forms of this surname have been recorded in varying contexts since the 14th century, when nobles and knights became increasingly involved in military courts. One example is Der Schepffat von Rod von Bur, a reference to the margin of an armorial book from 14th century Germany.
The Bur surname has been altered over the centuries. One variant, Beur, appears to originate from a Swiss French family of that name. A German orthographic version of the name, Bür or Buer, appears in records of the 15th century. Later variants of the name include Bour and Bourg; these variants likely originate from the French adaptation of German family names.
Today, the surname Bur is found among professional actors, athletes, and musicians. For example, German actress Arzu Bazman and
Austrian musician Johannes “Sepp” Bür both bear the surname. There is also a large population of Burs found in South America.
Overall, the surname Bur is a proud way of tracing your roots to Germany and Austria. Through the centuries it has been adapted and changed, but is still used in many countries throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBur: Where does the name Bur come from?
The last name Bur is most common today in Sweden, where it is ranked 230th in popularity. Bur is derived from the Old Swedish and Old Norse word 'bur', meaning 'settlement, or encampment'. Over time, it most likely became associated with people who either owned, lived, or worked in those settlements.
In Sweden today, Bur is found mostly in the south and middle of the country. It is also found in significant numbers in Norway and Denmark.
Bur is also present in much lower numbers in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and other countries in Europe.
In the United States, the last name Bur is seen mainly in areas along the East Coast, especially in the states of New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Delaware. Smaller numbers of the Bur surname are found in California and other parts of the West Coast.
Outside of Europe, Bur is also present in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. This shows that the last name has been carried by individuals immigrating from Europe and settling in these countries.
Overall, the last name Bur is most prevalent today in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and had maintained a presence in multiple European countries in addition to the U.S. and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Variations of the surname Bur
The surname Bur is of Germanic origin, deriving from the name "Baur" that appears quite frequently as a place name in Germany as well as Austria. The name "Bur" is believed to denote a geographical origin, with the meaning of "piggy house" or "dweller in a pig sty".
Some variants and spellings of the surname Bur are Bauer, Baur, Bowers, Bower, Bowerman, Bowery, Bowerman, Bowery, Boor, Boorman, Buer, Boer, Ber, Berre, Boere, Böer, Buur, Burke, and Bourke. The prominent surnames originating from the same root, such as Burger and Burghardt, are still relatively common in German-speaking regions.
The surname Bur is common in many countries, though it may be spelled differently depending on the region. In the United States, the name is found predominantly among people of German descent. It is also found in many other countries such as Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. The spelling of the name can vary in any of these countries, from an old Germanic spelling to a more modernized spelling.
The variants, spellings and surnames with the same origin for Bur can also be found in Central and Eastern European countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These countries have their own variants of the name, often derived from the old Germanic spelling of the name. Within these regions, the name may be spelled as Bauer, Baur, Bowers, Bowermann, Böer, Buer, Boer, and Bir. The name has also been known to appear as Bor in Poland, as well as under the more modernized spelling of Bur in Lithuania.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Bur are quite numerous, ranging from archaic German forms like Baur to more modern forms like Bor and Bir. All of these variants, spellings and surnames point to the same Germanic origin, and are all names found in multiple countries and regions.
Famous people with the name Bur
- Robert Bur, American politician
- Chris Bur, American bassist and music producer
- Lynda Bur, American actress
- Bill Burr, stand-up comedian, actor, and podcast host
- Jens Bur, Swedish swimmer and Olympian
- Brian Bur, British footballer
- Nash Bur, Italian cross-country skier
- Kemal Bur, Turkish alpine ski racer
- John Bur, English businessman
- Charles Bur, German musician
- Gordon Bur, Irish footballer
- Bartley Bur, American Major League baseball player
- Tony Bur, English football manager
- Augustin Bur, French painter
- Dennis Bur, Polish backstroke swimmer
- George Bur, American politician
- John Bur, Scottish professional golfer
- Ronnie Bur, British musician
- Judy Bur, American tennis player
- Thomas Bur, Irish tennis player