Show ContentsBuren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Buren is derived from the Middle Higher German word "bur," which meant "cottage" or "dwelling place."

Early Origins of the Buren family

The surname Buren was first found in Westphalia, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name Buren became an integral part of that turbulent region as it forged alliances with other families within the region and the nation.

Early History of the Buren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buren research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Buren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buren Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Buren include Buren, Burren, Buerren, Buerrin, Bueren, Beuren, Burenn, Burend, Burent, Beurin, Bueren and many more.

Early Notables of the Buren family

Notables of the period with the name Buren were

  • the von Buren family of Westphalia


United States Buren migration to the United States +

After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them:

Buren Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Peter Buren, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1834

Contemporary Notables of the name Buren (post 1700) +

  • William Home Van Buren (1819-1883), American surgeon
  • John J. Van Buren (1915-1942), United States Navy officer who received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Navy Cross
  • Harry Ebert Van Buren (b. 1924), former American football fullback /halfback
  • Courtney Van Buren (b. 1980), former American football offensive tackle
  • Raeburn van Buren (1891-1987), American magazine and comic strip illustrator
  • Paul Matthews van Buren (1924-1998), American Christian theologian and author
  • Mabel Van Buren (1878-1947), American stage and screen actress
  • John Van Buren (1810-1866), American lawyer and politician
  • Jermaine Russell Van Buren (b. 1980), former American pitcher in Major League Baseball
  • Stephen W. Van Buren (b. 1920), former professional American football halfback
  • ... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


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