Burt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The name Burt reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the Norman personal name and was originally spelled Berte. That name is derived from the word berht, which means light. Hence the name could have been a nickname for someone who was "bright, clear or splendid" having derived from the Anglo Saxon word "beorht." 1

Early Origins of the Burt family

The surname Burt was first found in Norfolk where Thomas de Burt and Hamo Burt were first listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls also listed Ralph Burte in Leicestershire and Roger Burt in Oxfordshire. 2

Early History of the Burt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burt research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1066 and 1273 are included under the topic Early Burt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burt 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. Burt has been recorded under many different variations, including Burt, Burte, Birt, Burts, Berte, Burte, Birte and many more.

Early Notables of the Burt family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Burt World Ranking

In the United States, the name Burt is the 963rd most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 3 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Burt is ranked the 89th most popular surname with an estimated 338 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Burt is the 867th popular surname with an estimated 4,577 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Burt as 404th with 1,627 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Burt as 670th with 9,843 people. 7

Migration of the Burt family to Ireland

Some of the Burt family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Burt migration to the United States +

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. Burts were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Burt Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Burt Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Burt Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Burt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Burt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Burt Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Burt Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Burt migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Burt Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Burt migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Burt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Burt migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16
Burt Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Burt (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Burt +
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