Origins of the Burgess Surname

Tracing the origins family surnames as well as its meaning may not be an easy task. Since the early days of medieval Europe the evolution and use of surnames grew distinctively  The Burgess surname is one of many surnames that evolved out of occupation and/or social status rather than family relationships, personal characteristics or geographical influences. Derived accordingly from profession or social status, this surname, is one that has a documented history that dates back to the 9th Century in the British Isles and perhaps even as early as 350 AD in Europe.

Originally derived from the Latin word "burgus", meaning town and the related word "burgensis" meaning citizen.  This surname later developed into the Middle English word "burgeys" as well as the Old French words "burgeis", "bourgeois" and "bourges" - all having the same meaning.

Historically, English sources state that this surname originated in County Sussex of England, dating back to before the time of the Norman Conquest of Britain in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded Britain from Normandy.

In the strictest sense, the Burgess surname means or implies "freeman" and evolved out of the medieval European craft guilds (i.e. Masons?) that existed since the Biblical days. Members of these guilds rightfully earned their social status through their crafts or skilled professions and rose within their ranks through apprenticeship. Therefore, a Burgess was a free member of the local community (or "middle class" citizen) who earned his title through his profession. in which they lived, but was neither of royal lineage, common peasantry nor of indentured servitude.

In attaining this title of distinction through his craft or profession, a person bearing this title was able to rise above the common peasantry of the country districts where he lived throughout Europe and was not generally obligated to serve the local feudal lords or ruling aristocracy. As a free citizen of his home borough, burgh or burg, The bearer of this title also enjoyed some distinctive official civic honors within his local community.

The surname also evolved out the social standing or civic status of these free individuals, having the title of "Burgess" bestowed upon them, in and of their local community. Defined by differing criteria, in England and Scotland, an individual holding this title maintained a certain level of social distinction and civic rights among the people in which they lived. Naturally, there were defined qualifications one would have to meet before rightfully earning this title  in Great Britain.

In England proper, a person so considered to be of this honored distinction, was a freeman renting a tract of land with an annual worth of 40 shillings earned this distinction. An individual of this distinction could be merely a free farmer who earned profits from his efforts in this profession and could afford to rent the land he worked. Additionally granted certain civic rights, the English Burgess held elected positions to political offices in the local government where he lived.

To the north, the Scottish folk (who often resisted and opposed the will of their "southern cousins") maintained a somewhat different definition to this title. To the Scottish people, this title represented more of a civic nature and granted full "municipal" rights. This implied a level of civic status within a community and enabled the individual bearing this name to hold political office within their municipalities. Could this have been one of the earliest beginnings of the local "career politician" in our present day government?

Though independently taken by many families over the years, it was a surname that was eventually given or adopted as a title of free and independent people throughout Europe.

Since the earliest appearances of this surname, it has appeared in many different spelling variations and pronounced with slight differences from region to region and from one language dialect to another. Throughout history, some recorded variations of this surname would be: Burges, Burgass, Burgase, Burgis, Burgiss, and Borges. Each variation is essentially pronounced the same - with the "G" generally being pronounced as a 'J". A very old variation of this surname is Burkas (BUR-cass).

In the pure and most commonly accepted English pronunciation of this surname, however, the correct pronunciation of this surname, as it is commonly spelled in the present day, is BUR-jehs or BUR-jiss (not BUR-guess as many would simply assume). To illustrate the proper English pronunciation of this surname, no one calls the country where BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen automobiles are manufactured "GRR-many"!!! I do not hesitate pointing out a person's error when they mispronounce my surname!

Birthrights & Heraldry

Amidst the growing popularity of genealogy in recent times, many family researchers of this surname wish to hold on to a bit of nostalgia and identify their family name with with a Coat Of Arms.  In the era long ago when a coat of arms represented specific families throughout England and greater Europe, it symbolized royal recognition, honor and distinction. 

Unfortunately, very few families today, and only a scant few at that, are entitled to bear a coat of arms to represent their family.  However, it is somewhat prestigious to link this surname of today with a coat of arms that was granted and bestowed upon an individual bearing this surname some 500 years or more ago.

The Last Bastion of Honor and Distinction

While there is no record of any member of this legislative body having this surname serving in this colonial era governing body, the House of Burgesses stand out as a classic and perhaps the last example of this surname's significance as a title of honor and distinction.

Portions of this article was derived from various sources and rewritten. All credit is given and due to the various contributors.

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