Show ContentsBurbyche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Burbyche is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Leicestershire, and held a family seat at the village of Burbage. There is also a Burbage Brook in Padley Gorge, Derbyshire. The surname is derived from the Old English form of Burbage on the Wye, which means someone who lived at the brook or valley of the burg. 1

Early Origins of the Burbyche family

The surname Burbyche was first found in Leicestershire at Burbage, a chapelry, in the parish of AstonFlamville, union of Hinckley, hundred of Sparkenhoe. 2 Alternatively the name could have been from Burbage, a parish, in the union of Pewsey, hundred of Kinwardstone, Marlborough and Ramsbury in Wiltshire. 3 4

Early History of the Burbyche family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burbyche research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1531, 1566, 1567, 1576, 1597, 1607, 1619, 1631, 1636 and 1653 are included under the topic Early Burbyche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burbyche 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 Burbyche were recorded, including Burbage, Burbidge, Burbyche, Burbridge and others.

Early Notables of the Burbyche family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Thomas Burbidge; James Burbage (or Burbadge) (1531-1597), an English actor, theatre impresario; and his son Cuthbert Burbage (1566-1636), English theatrical figure; and his brother, Richard Burbage (c.1567-1619) British actor, member of the Earl of...
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burbyche Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Burbyche family to Ireland

Some of the Burbyche family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 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 Burbyche 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 Burbyche family emigrate to North America: Thomas Burbage who settled in Virginia in 1642; Thomas Burbadge settled in Virginia in 1653; Elizabeth Burbridge settled in New England in 1775; Thomas Burbridge her husband also settled in New England in the same year.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook