Show ContentsBerihan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

  • Origins Available:
  • England
Berihan Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Berihan

What does the name Berihan mean?

Berihan is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to 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 Berihan family

The surname Berihan 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 Berihan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berihan 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 Berihan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berihan Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Berihan has appeared include Berryman, Berriman, Borowman, Buriman, Beriman, Buryman, Birriman, Borrowman and many more.

Early Notables of the Berihan family

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. 4 Thomas Berriman was a bookseller (?)...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berihan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berihan family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Berihan arrived in North America very early: John Berryman who arrived in Virginia in 1663; and Robert Berryman, who came to Virginia in 1718.
  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.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

Houseofnames.com on Facebook