Show ContentsBurian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Burian comes from when its first bearer worked as a servant at the manor house having derived from the Old English word buri, which refers to "a fortified manor house", and was used to denote someone who worked at such a house.

Alternatively, "this surname is derived from an occupation. 'the buryman,' i.e. boroughman, a man dwelling within the borough." [1]

Early Origins of the Burian family

The surname Burian was first found in Hampshire, where Edricus Buriman was listed at Winton in 1148. Years later in Berkshire, Alexander Beriman was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. [2]

In Somerset, Robert Buryman and William Buryman were both listed there 1 Edward III, (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [3]

A very learned family, scanning the Register of the University of Oxford, we found Samuel Beriman, or Berriman, Gloucestershire in 1587-1588 and Hugh Birriman, or Berriman, Somerset, 1615.

Early History of the Burian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burian research. Another 237 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1148, 1176, 1500, 1587, 1600, 1615, 1642, 1688, 1691, 1750, 1768, 1784 and 1807 are included under the topic Early Burian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burian Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Burian include Berryman, Berriman, Borowman, Buriman, Beriman, Buryman, Birriman, Borrowman and many more.

Early Notables of the Burian family

Distinguished members of the family include William Berriman (1688-1750), a prominent chaplain and writer.John Berriman (1691-1768), was an English divine, born in 1691, was the son of John Berriman, a London apothecary, brother of William Berriman, D.D. (1688-1750), another English divine...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Burian migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Burian or a variant listed above:

Burian Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Adalert Burian, who settled in New York, NY in 1868
  • Andreas Burian, who settled in New York, NY in 1878
  • Antonia Burian, who settled in Baltimore in 1879
  • Alois Burian, who arrived in New York, NY in 1881
  • Anton Burian, who arrived in Nebraska sometime between 1891 and 1892
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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