Burgham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Burgham

What does the name Burgham mean?

In ancient Scotland, the first people to use Burgham as a surname were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name someone who lived in Galloway in the southwest of Scotland. The Rhiged lived in what later became the northern English counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Burgham family

The surname Burgham was first found in Westmorland, at Brougham Castle a medieval building about 2 miles (3.2 km) south-east of Penrith in what is now known as Cumbria. â€œThe De Burghams held it temp. Edward the Confessor.â€ 1 This castle was built on an ancient Roman fort named Brocavum and was originally at the intersection of three Roman roads.

Early History of the Burgham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burgham research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1665, 1698, 1778, 1780, 1833 and 1868 are included under the topic Early Burgham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burgham Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Burgham has been spelled Brougham, Bruham, Browham and others.

Early Notables of the Burgham family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Henry Brougham (1665-1698), an English divine from Scales Hall, Cumberland. He was one of the twelve children of Henry Brougham of Scales Hall, Cumberland, sheriff for the county in the 6th of William III. 2Henry Peter Brougham...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burgham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Burgham family to Ireland

Some of the Burgham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burgham migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

Burgham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ann Burgham, aged 54, originally from Liverpool, arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Liverpool, England 3
Silvester Burgham, aged 14, originally from Liverpool, arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Majestic (1890)" from Liverpool, England 3
Richard Burgham, aged 42, arrived in New York in 1894 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool, Queenstown 3

Burgham Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Arthur John Burgham, aged 29, originally from Cinderford, England, arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Liverpool, England 3
Margaret Burgham, aged 25, originally from Cinderford, England, arrived in New York in 1909 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Liverpool, England 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Burgham (post 1700) +

Oliver Burgham, Welsh professional rugby league footballer who played from 1908 to 1911 at representative level for Great Britain, and Wales
Ian Burgham (b. 1950), New Zealand poet who currently resides in Canada

The Burgham Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro rege lege grege
Motto Translation: For King, the law, and the people.

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result