Burton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Burton is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Burton family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Burton family lived in Burton which is the “name of no less than forty parishes and places in England.” [1] The name literally means “fortified enclosure” or “fortified farmstead.” [2]

Early Origins of the Burton family

The surname Burton was first found in Shropshire where they were descended conjecturally from Drogo de Beuvriere a kinsman of William the Conqueror who held lands at Burton Agnes, Burton Constable and a manor house or castle at Burton Pidsea. 

The surname “is derived from Boreton, in the parish of Condover, in Shropshire, an estate which remained in the family until the reign of James I. ‘Goiffrid de Bortona’ (Burton,) one of the foresters of Shropshire, in the reign of Henry I., is the first recorded ancestor.” [3]

Another branch of the family was found at Dalton in Lancashire in early times. “At the time of the Domesday Survey, the manor was held by a Saxon chief named Gilmichael, and it was afterwards annexed to the manor of Burton; soon after the time of Richard I. it seems to have been granted to the family of Burton.” [4]

“William Burton, the antiquary, and his brother Robert, author of the Anatomy of Melancholy, were natives of [Lindley, Leicestershire], the former born in 1575, and the latter in 1576.” [4]

William of Berton, (fl, 1376), was Chancellor of Oxford in 1380. “Berton’s Chancellorship is important because of its connection with the Wycliffite controversy respecting the sacrament which then agitated Oxford. ” [5]

Early History of the Burton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burton research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1350, 1300, 1354, 1600, 1853, 1661, 1656, 1659, 1632, 1681, 1575, 1645, 1622, 1609, 1682, 1668, 1714, 1748, 1953 and are included under the topic Early Burton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burton Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Burton have been found, including Burton, Birton, Byrton, Burtone and others.

Early Notables of the Burton family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Burton (died 1661), of Brampton Hall, Westmorland, English MP for Westmorland from 1656 to 1659; Hezekiah Burton (1632-1681), an English theologian; William Burton (1575-1645), an English antiquarian, best known as the author of the… 
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burton World Ranking

In the United States, the name Burton is the 227^th most popular surname with an estimated 114,402 people with that name. [6] However, in Canada, the name Burton is ranked the 387^thmost popular surname with an estimated 12,048 people with that name. [7] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Burton is the 70^th popular surname with an estimated 385 people with that name. [8] Australia ranks Burton as 216^th with 15,451 people. [9] New Zealand ranks Burton as 252^nd with 2,399 people. [10] The United Kingdom ranks Burton as 135^th with 37,269 people. [11]

 Migration of the Burton family to Ireland

Some of the Burton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Burton migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Burton were among those contributors: 

Burton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• George Burton, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1608 aboard the ship “Second Supply” [12]
• Richard Burton, aged 28, who landed in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship “Swan” [12]
• Boniface Burton, who landed in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1632 [12]
• William Burton, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Globe” [12]
• William Burton, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Thomas” [12]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Burton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Peter Burton, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 [12]
• Henry Burton, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 [12]
• Samuel Burton, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [12]
• Charles Burton, who arrived in America in 1722 [12]
• Thomas Burton, who arrived in South Carolina in 1735 [12]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)