Burrage
Burrage (or Burridge, from historical spellings including , ) is a long-established surname with two distinct possible sources, each with its own history and derivation.
Surname
Burridge is an Anglo-Saxon place-name for multiple locations in Devonshire and Hampshire. The place-name derives from the Old English “burh” (fort) and “hrycg” (hill or ridge); hence, “fort on a ridge”.
Burrage derives from the Middle English given name “Burrich”—from the Old English “Burgric”, composed of the elements “burh/burg” (fort/stronghold), and “ric” (power)—and could also mean “the son of Borrick”. The given name is also recorded in the Domesday Book of 1066/1086 as “Burcheric”, “Burchricus”, “Burricus” and “Buric”. a “Burrich de Bradefeld” was documented in County Norfolk in 1203.
The first recorded spellings of the surname are those of Henry Borrich (in the subsidy rolls of Somerset) and William Burrich (in the subsidy rolls of Suffolk), during the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377). Henry Borrick is listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation (the English Poll Tax). Throughout the centuries, surnames developed variant spellings depending on who was writing them down.
In the modern idiom the name can be found as Burrage and Burridge. Phillis, daughter of Thomas Burrage, was christened at St Botolph’s Aldgate on 29 June 1582. Thomas Burridge and Margaret Shelstone married at St Dunstan’s, Stepney on 28 August 1645. Susannah Burrage was buried at St Antholin in 1660. George Burrige was baptized at St Dionis Backchurch in 1709
Coat of arms
 |
 |
A Burrage or Burridge was granted a coat of arms—Or, a chevron gules between three lions rampant sable—recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884. Registered at Tiverton, County Devon and of Lillesden, Hawhurst, County Kent.[1][2]
Another coat of arms—Azure, three dolphins courant argent, a chief or, three ship-rudder charges sable—is also claimed as belonging to a Burrage/Burridge.[3]
Sources
- ↑ HouseofNames.comBurrage Family Crest.
- ↑ 4Crests.comBurrage Coat of Arms.
- ↑ There was an online reference at one time, but all Google finds now are listings at CafePress, Teespring, etc.
- Burrage at SurnameDB (The Internet Surname Database)
See also
- The Real Truth Behind Coats of Arms and Family Crests
- Identifying a Coat of Arms or Crest College of Arms (UK gov)