Burgess Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Burgess Name Meaning: Carried to England from France & derived from Old French 'burgeis' (inhabitant & freeman of a fortified town)

First found in Sussex & probably descended from the Barons Burghersh, later Burwash which is a parish in that county. In medieval England, Burgesses paid fixed money rent for land or buildings paid to the landlord by 'burgage'

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Burgess Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Burgess family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 546
Female Servant 349
Independent 209
Labourer 176
Farmer 150
Male Servant 144
Shoe Maker 88
Cotton Weaver 54
Carpenter 52
Weaver 48
Dress Maker 44
Tailor 40
Silk Weaver 34
Baker 28
Pauper 28
Grocer 26
Blacksmith 24
Laundress 24
Mason 24
Clerk 23
Apprentice 23
Brick Layer 23
Servant 23
Sawyer 21
Ag Labourer 21

Burgess Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Burgess 100% 123,422
2 Burges 86% 7,805
3 Bargess 86% 887
4 Burgiss 86% 829
5 Burgass 86% 372
6 Burgees 86% 350
7 Burguss 86% 170
8 Brugess 71% 145
9 Bergess 86% 121
10 Burgs 71% 121
11 Burggs 71% 106

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The surname Burgess is the most popular version of all its varients

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