The origins of the Burnhan name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Burnhan was originally derived from a family having lived in any of the various places called Burnham in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, or Suffolk. These place names derive from the Old English words burna or stream, and ham, or homestead.
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Early Origins of the Burnhan family
The surname Burnhan was first found in Herefordshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
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Early History of the Burnhan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burnhan research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1619 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Burnhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Burnhan Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Burnhan include Burnham, Burnam and others.
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Early Notables of the Burnhan family
More information is included under the topic Early Burnhan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Burnhan family
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Thomas Burnham, who came to Barbados in 1635; William Burnham, who arrived at St. Christopher in 1635; John Burnham, who arrived in Virginia in 1643; Thomas Burnham who settled in Hartford, Conn. in 1649, beginning a distinguished line in America.
England
