| ![Show Contents]() Burkert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BurkertWhat does the name Burkert mean? The name Burkert is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Northern England where the term 'of the birk-head,' as in "the head of the birches" was derived. Thus the name literally means "dweller by the birch-covered headland." 1 The name is related to the names Birkenhead and Beckett 2 and was frequented in Cumberland and Lancashire. 1 The Birket is a tributary of the River Mersey, on the Wirral, Merseyside. Early Origins of the Burkert familyThe surname Burkert was first found in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire where John de Birkhaved was listed in 1301. Later, John Birkehede was listed as a Freeman or York in 1442 and Henry Brikket, Byrkett was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1524. 1 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Adam Birkeued. 2 Early History of the Burkert familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burkert research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1425, 1503, 1507, 1573, 1607, 1623, 1634, 1636, 1638, 1646, 1650, 1653, 1666, 1700, 1703, 1746, 1838, 1908, 1929, 1958 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Burkert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Burkert Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Burkert are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Burkert include: Birket, Birkett, Bircket, Burkett, Birckett, Burket, Burkert and many more. Early Notables of the Burkert familySir Anthony Birket of Beldorney Castle; Josiah Burchett (1666-1746), Secretary of the Admiralty in England; and William Burkitt (1650-1703), biblical expositor and vicar in Dedham, Essex, best known for his "Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament" published in 1700. 3
Baron Birkett, of Ulverston in the County Palatine of Lancaster, is a hereditary title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burkert Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Burkert family to IrelandSome of the Burkert family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Burkert migration to the United States | + |
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Burkert or a variant listed above:
Burkert Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Burkert, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1840
| Contemporary Notables of the name Burkert (post 1700) | + |
- Nancy Ekholm Burkert (b. 1933), American artist and illustrator
- Walter Burkert (1931-2015), German scholar of Greek mythology and cult awarded the 1990 Balzan Prize for Study of the ancient world (Mediterranean area)
- Herbert Burkert, German law professor
- Karel Burkert (1909-1991), Czech football goalkeeper who played for Czechoslovakia in the 1938 FIFA World Cup
- Rudolf Burkert (1904-1985), German Czechoslovak Nordic gold, silver and bronze medalist skier
- Martin Burkert (b. 1964), German politician, Deputy Leader of the Social Democratic Party in Bavaria (2013-)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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