Show ContentsBirgit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Birgit is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Cheshire, where they held a family seat near Birkenhead at the estuary of the River Birket. It is from the name of the river that their name is derived.

Early Origins of the Birgit family

The surname Birgit was first found in Cheshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Birgit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Birgit research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1650, 1666, 1700, 1703, 1746, 1838 and 1908 are included under the topic Early Birgit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Birgit Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Birgit were recorded, including Birket, Birkett, Bircket, Burkett, Birckett, Burket, Burkert and many more.

Early Notables of the Birgit family

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Birgit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Birgit family to Ireland

Some of the Birgit family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Birgit family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Birgit family emigrate to North America: David Birket who arrived in New York State in 1803; John Birkett settled in Virginia in 1650; Samuel Birkett settled in New England in 1750; Joe Burkett settled in Barbados in 1635.


Contemporary Notables of the name Birgit (post 1700) +

  • Birgit Nordin (1934-2022), Swedish operatic soprano, member of the Royal Swedish Opera from from 1958 to 1986
  • Birgit Kleis (b. 1956), Danish politician
  • Birgit Vanderbeke (1956-2021), German writer, born in Dahme, East Germany
  • Birgit Dressel (1960-1987), West German heptathlete at the 1984 Olympic hepthathlon
  • Birgit Sippel (b. 1960), German politician, Member of the European Parliament (2009-)
  • Birgit Stauber (b. 1974), Austrian Romy Gala Award nominated actress
  • Birgit Fischer (b. 1962), German winner of eight gold, and four sliver Olympic medals for canoe sprint at the 1980, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 games
  • Birgit Nilsson (1918-2005), celebrated Swedish dramatic soprano
  • Birgit Kähler (b. 1970), retired female high jumper from Germany
  • Birgit Prinz (b. 1977), German international football player


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