Surname Burningham - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Burningham: What does the surname Burningham mean?
The surname Burningham is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name derived from a place so called in Northumberland, in the North-East of England. The place name means "homestead (Old English 'ham') of a man named Beorn" (an Old English personal name) with 'ing' referring to "people of" or "dwellers at". Thus, Burningham can be interpreted as "the place of Beorn’s people". Surnames that were derived from place names are typically indicative of the original bearer's residence or the location of his family home. This would mean that the earliest identifiers of the Burningham family probably resided in or came from the area of Burningham in Northumberland. As with many surnames, over centuries, variations in the spelling might occur as a product of literacy levels and regional dialects. Different branches of the family can have slightly different spellings of the same original name.
Order DNA origin analysisBurningham: Where does the name Burningham come from?
The surname Burningham is of English origin. It traces back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. The name is derived from the Old English terms "burna" meaning stream or spring, and "ham" indicating a village, estate, or homestead. Therefore, Burningham could potentially mean 'homestead next to the stream'. It used to be a locational surname given to people who lived around such areas, typically recognized by local features like hills, forests, and types of trees, or specific landmarks. There are places named Burningham in Norfolk and North Yorkshire from which the surname could have been derived.
Today, the surname Burningham is not extremely common. However, it can still be found in various English-speaking countries such as England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Among these countries, it is most common in England, specifically in Norfolk and approximately in or around the area where the name originated. Regardless of its rarity, the surname carries a rich historical significance, painting a vivid picture of the lifestyles and locations of our ancestors.
Variations of the surname Burningham
The surname Burningham primarily has origins in Anglo-Saxon and English history. While there are not many known variants of this surname, it is related to the place-name Birmingham, a city in England. As such, the surname Birmingham could technically be considered a variant.
However, due to differences in pronunciation, spelling, and transcription over time, different versions of the name might have been recorded or passed down. These can include modifications like Burnham, Burnam, Burneman, and Burnemanham. Variations where "u" is replaced with "i", like Birningham, can also be seen, especially in older texts.
The surnames may also have variations based on additional prefixes or suffixes, like Burninghamson or Burninghamstone, depending upon familial lineage and local naming customs.
Names that are similar but may not have the same origin include Bunningham, Burningame, and Burnham.
It should be noted that the precise spelling and variants can differ significantly based on regional dialects and individual family traditions. Moreover, inaccuracies and changes in spelling can occur due to historical documents and entries being subject to human error. As such, many more variations of the surname Burningham may exist.
Famous people with the name Burningham
- Hannah Burningham: A professional wakeboarder and activist who’s competed in World Wakeboarding Championships, sponsored by PPG Wakeboarding.
- Matt Burningham: A professional swing dancer and “Lindy Hopper” from California who aims to spread the joy and artistry of jazz dance around the world.
- Rebecca Burningham: A British actress and faith leader who has starred in several television series and films, such as “Doctor Who”, “Black Earth Rising” and “The Mallorca Files”.
- Lewis Burningham: American singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist, best known for his poignant and lively folk/Americana music.
- Carolyn Burningham: A British-American producer and founder of Burningham Films, who works with major television networks such as BBC and National Geographic.
- Emily Burningham: A British-American filmmaker who’s been nominated for BAFTA and Emmy awards for her critically-acclaimed documentary films.
- David Burningham: An English landscape photographer, credited with the discovery of 'the Allerseelen' signature sky formations, as well as the author of several books and collections of photography.
- John Burningham: An English printmaker, painter, and author of children's books, best known for “Mr Gumpy's Outing”, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, and “Oh Dear”.
- Bob Burningham: An award-winning American photographer, best known for his portrait photography of rural Americans, and who has won awards such as the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship.