Find out how popular the last name Bur is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bur.

Bur, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bur surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bur in America

Bur is the 40909th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bur surname appeared 533 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bur.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bur to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bur

The surname "Bur" has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "burr," which means a small hill or rounded knoll. This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near or on a small hill.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Bur" can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and property holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, including "Bure" and "Buhr," reflecting the regional variations in pronunciation and spelling at the time.

During the 13th century, a notable individual named William Bur was mentioned in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, England. These records provide valuable insights into the lives and activities of people living in rural communities during that era.

In the 14th century, a prominent figure named John Bur was recorded as a landowner in the town of Burford, Oxfordshire. This place name, derived from the Old English "burh-ford" meaning "fortified ford," may have influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that region.

Another notable individual was Sir Thomas Bur, a wealthy merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers in London during the 16th century. He played an active role in the city's trade and commerce, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

In the 17th century, a scholar and clergyman named Samuel Bur made significant contributions to the field of theology. Born in 1620 in Lincolnshire, he authored several influential works and served as a rector in various parishes throughout his career.

As the centuries passed, the surname "Bur" spread across different regions of England and beyond, with variations in spelling and pronunciation emerging. Some notable bearers of the name included the philosopher and writer John Bur (1755-1823) and the artist and engraver William Bur (1819-1892), both of whom made notable contributions to their respective fields.

While this summary provides an overview of the surname's history and notable individuals, it is important to note that the origins and evolution of surnames can be complex, with multiple theories and regional variations contributing to their development over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bur

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bur.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bur was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bur has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bur was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bur, please contact us.

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