The Burgess Family History

What Does the Burgess Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The Burgess surname has its roots in Scotland, Ireland, and England, deriving from the Middle English word ‘burges’ and the Old French term ‘burgeis,’ both of which denote a resident or citizen of a town. Variations of the name Burgess include Bargess, Burgeus, Burges, Burgeis, Burghersh, Burgar, and Burgesse. In Scotland, individuals bearing the Burgess name are predominantly found throughout the eastern part of the country, with significant concentrations in the counties of Midlothian, Angus, Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, and Dumfries-shire. In England, families with the Burgess surname primarily reside in regions such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, and the city of London. In the United States, the Burgess lineage is especially prevalent in South Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, California, New York, and Pennsylvania. Notable individuals bearing this surname include Bobby Burgess, a dancer and singer; Edward Burgess, a prominent yacht designer of the 19th century; Jim Burgess, a professional golfer; Smoky Burgess, a professional baseball player; Michael Burgess, a Canadian actor and singer; Neil Burgess, a vaudeville comic; Chris Burgess, a professional basketball player; Graham Burgess, a distinguished English chess master; Lord Burgess, a songwriter; and Thornton Burgess, an author celebrated for his children’s literature.