Show ContentsBusiman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Busiman

What does the name Busiman mean?

The founding heritage of the Busiman family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Busiman comes from when one of the family worked as 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 Busiman family

The surname Busiman 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 Busiman family

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

Busiman Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Busiman has been spelled many different ways, including Berryman, Berriman, Borowman, Buriman, Beriman, Buryman, Birriman, Borrowman and many more.

Early Notables of the Busiman 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 Busiman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Busiman family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Busimans to arrive in North America: 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


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