BURR Family History

This most interesting surname is of early medieval origin, and has a number of possible interpretations. Firstly, it may derive from a nickname, from the Middle English "burre", a bur, which was used by Shakespeare to describe "one who was difficult to shake off" or one who sticks like a "bur" (a seed-head that sticks to clothing). According to another source it may be of an earlier Anglo-Saxon origin, a topographical name for a dweller by a small building or dwelling, from the Olde English pre 7th Century "bur", a small dwelling. Finally, there is some likelihood that the name may be a variant of "Burke", a topographical name for a dweller by a fortified place or a prehistoric hill fort, from the Middle English "burc", "burk", a fort, fortified place...

Who have we missed?

Tell us about any famous BURR (or surname variant) you think we should add here. We will get our genealogists to check them out and add them to the list. Thanks!