Surname Burress - Meaning and Origin
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Burress: What does the surname Burress mean?
The surname Burress is of English origin. It is a variant of the spelling of Burgess, which is derived from the Old French "burgeis," meaning "inhabitant and freeman of a fortified town." In Medieval England, Burress or Burgess was often used as an occupational name for an elected representative who attended the parliament on behalf of a borough (a fortified town). These men were generally from the middle class, leading to the term "bourgeoisie" to refer to the middle class. The variant Burress is less common, but still carries these historical and occupational meanings. As with many surnames, it may have originally been used to denote someone's job or status in society before becoming a hereditary family name. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation may have changed due to regional accents and variations in spelling.
Order DNA origin analysisBurress: Where does the name Burress come from?
The surname Burress is of English origin, more specifically it's believed to come from the medieval English surname "Burras" which itself is derived from an Old French word "burel", referring to a type of coarse woollen cloth. The surname thus likely originally served as an occupational name for someone who made or sold this type of cloth.
In terms of where it is common today, the spread of people with the last name Burress indicates a prevalence in the United States. Variations of Burress may also be found in other English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Furthermore, similar to the movement of many surnames, it might be present in non-English-speaking countries due to migration or lineage reasons. However, it is important to note that the prominence of a surname in a country does not automatically translate to it having originated from there.
Variations of the surname Burress
The surname Burress, primarily recognized in the United States, can be attributed to a number of spelling variations and originated from a variety of surnames with similar roots. The variations for Burress can include Burrus, Burros, Buris, Buras, Byrres, and even Burriss.
When looking at its genealogical roots, this name is understood to have evolved from the Norman surname "Bourges", derived from the town Bourges in France. The surname was further transformed into "Burghersh" after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which then simplified over generations into variations like Burris and Burrus.
In other cases, Burress may be a derivative or misspelling of the German surname "Burr", "Bühr" or "Bührs". It can also be an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname "Borres".
Remember, it's critical to perform a comprehensive ancestry research to accurately trace specific family histories since surnames were often modified due to migration, regional dialects, and ease of pronunciation. The meaning of a surname can also vary based on cultural, regional, or historical context.
Famous people with the name Burress
- Plaxico Burress: He is a former American football wide receiver who played 11 seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Michigan State and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft.
- David Burress: He is a political scientist and Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas.
- Adrienne C. Burress: She is a famous lawyer known for her expertise in commercial real estate.
- Jessie Burress: He was a Major League Baseball player who played for the Chicago White Sox in the 1920's.
- Lance Burress: He is a well-known American musician and producer.
- Jeff Burress: Former professional American football player who played in the National Football League.
- Hansford Burress: He is a famous poet known for his contribution to literature.
- William Burress: American silent film actor who appeared in more than 90 films between 1911 and 1940. These are some of the well-known individuals with the last name Burress.