Burse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Burse

What does the name Burse mean?

Burse is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Burse family lived in Wiltshire. The family name comes from a place in Normandy called Burcy, in the arrondisement of Vire, Canton of Vassy, Normandy. 1 In Devon, the name was often spelt Birhsie, having derived from the Old English word Beorhtsige. 2

Early Origins of the Burse family

The surname Burse was first found in Wiltshire where Serlo de Burci held lands in 1084. 2 Later, after the Norman Conquest, the Domesday Book of 1086 lists Serle Borci as holding lands in Somerset. 3 Still in Somerset, almost one hundred years later, Hugo de Burci was a Knights Templar in 1185. In Herefordshire, Rannulf Bursi was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1195 and in Norfolk, Hugh Bursey was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. 2

Early History of the Burse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burse research. Another 293 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1084, 1165, 1185 and 1582 are included under the topic Early Burse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burse Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Burse has been recorded under many different variations, including Bursey, Burcey, Bursie, Boursey, Borsey, Bourcey, Borsie and many more.

Early Notables of the Burse family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Bursey of Somerset

Burse Ranking

In the United States, the name Burse is the 9,998^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Burse family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Burses were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Richard Bursey, who settled in Maryland in 1742; and Catherine Bursy, who arrived in America in 1752.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/