Show ContentsBearey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Bearey surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived near a town or fortress. Bury is an Old English word for town (modern borough) and means therefore at the borough. Bury is a place-name in counties Suffolk, Lancashire and Huntingdonshire, and the name could have been derived from any one of those place-names.

The Burress variant literally means "dweller near a stronghold or fortified place." 1

Henry Bederic or De Bury (fl. 1380), was an early English theologian, was "born at Bury, in Suffolk, from which place he derived his surname." 2

Early Origins of the Bearey family

The surname Bearey was first found in Devon where Geoffrey de la Burg and Richard de la Burg were listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls lists Adam de la Bury and Richard de la Bury in Oxfordshire. Years later, William atte Berge and Richard atte Bury were listed as holding lands during the reign of King Edward III (1327 until his death.) 3

Arguably, the name could have had a Norman origin as one reference claims the name was derived from Bourry, near Gisors in Normandy, for it is here that Walbert and Richard de Bouri were listed in the Mangns Rotul. Scaccarii Normanniae in 1198. They are believed to be descended from Eustace de Bouri who was listed there in 1104. 4

Richard de Bury (1287-1345), also known as Richard Aungerville or Aungervyle, was an English bishop, writer and bibliophile, born near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Burray is "an island, forming part of the ancient parish of St. Peter, island of South Ronaldshay, South isles of Orkney, Scotland." 5

Early History of the Bearey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bearey research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1287, 1345, 1364, 1430, 1446, 1470, 1472, 1522, 1535, 1571, 1580, 1624, 1644, 1655, 1666, 1667, 1690, 1714, 1715, 1720, 1722 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Bearey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bearey 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 Bearey include Bury, Burye, Burys, Buris, Burri, Burrey, Burry and others.

Early Notables of the Bearey family

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Bury (fl. 1430-1470), Canon of Windsor from 1446 to 1472; John Bury (died c. 1522), English politician, Member of Parliament for Cambridge; William Bury, a London draper; and his son, John Bury (1535-1571), an English translator; John Bury...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bearey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bearey family to Ireland

Some of the Bearey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Bearey migration to Canada +

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:

Bearey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Con. Bearey, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Matilda" from Cork, Ireland

Australia Bearey migration to Australia +

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

Bearey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Bearey, (Bearey), (b. 1808), aged 18, Irish farm labourer who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boyne" on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1828 6


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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)
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyne


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