Burhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Burhan

What does the name Burhan mean?

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Burhan is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in any of the various places called Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, or Suffolk. These place names derive from the Old English words burna or stream, and ham, or homestead.

Early Origins of the Burhan family

The surname Burhan was first found in Herefordshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Burhan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burhan research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1619 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Burhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burhan Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Burhan has been spelled many different ways, including Burnham, Burnam and others.

Early Notables of the Burhan family

More information is included under the topic Early Burhan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Burhan family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Burhans to arrive in North America: Thomas Burnham, who came to Barbados in 1635; William Burnham, who arrived at St. Christopher in 1635; John Burnham, who arrived in Virginia in 1643; Thomas Burnham who settled in Hartford, Conn. in 1649, beginning a distinguished line in America.