Show ContentsBurtchael History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Burtchael family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Berkshire from a place of that name. The name is thought to have been originally Norman where "this family, probably foreign, descends from Sir Humphry Burghill or Burchell, a companion of Bernard de Neumarché in the conquest of Brecknock, 1088. About 1150 William de Burchall was witness to a gift to Hereford Abbey; and later, David de Burchall. " 1

Early Origins of the Burtchael family

The surname Burtchael was first found in Herefordshire where literally the name means "dweller at, or on, the hill of birch trees." 2

Early History of the Burtchael family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burtchael research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1686, 1705, 1715, 1727 and 1737 are included under the topic Early Burtchael History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burtchael Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Burtchael has been recorded under many different variations, including Burchall, Burchell, Burchill, Burchhell, Burtchell, Burtchill, Burtchaell and many more.

Early Notables of the Burtchael family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Eustace Budgell (1686-1737), an English writer and politician who represented Mullingar in the Irish House of Commons (1715-1727.) "He was the son of Gilbert Budgell, D.D., of St. Thomas, Exeter, by his first wife Mary, only daughter of Bishop Gulston...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burtchael Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Burtchael family to Ireland

Some of the Burtchael family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 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 Burtchael family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Burtchaels were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Ann Burchell who settled in Virginia in 1655; Andrew Burchell settled in Pennsylvania in 1773; Charles Burchill settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1868 with his brother John..



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print


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