BIRCH
Birch
Origin and Meaning: Birch is a surname of English origin derived from the Old English word "birce," which refers to the birch tree. The surname likely originated as a topographic or locational name for someone who lived near a birch tree or a place with birch trees.
Distribution: The surname Birch is most commonly found in England, especially in regions with a history of birch trees such as the Midlands and the southern counties. Over time, the name has spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Individuals:
- Thomas Birch (1705-1766): English historian and clergyman known for his works on British history.
- Andrew Birch (b. 1960): South African cricketer who played for the national team in the 1990s.
- Amanda Foreman (neé Amanda Birch): British-American historian and author known for writing best-selling historical biographies.
Coat of Arms: The Birch family crest typically features symbols associated with strength, protection, and growth, often incorporating elements like trees, shields, and heraldic animals. The design and colors of the coat of arms may vary depending on the specific branch of the Birch family.
Legacy: The Birch surname carries with it a connection to nature and English heritage. Many individuals with the surname Birch continue to celebrate their family history and genealogy through research, reunions, and maintaining ancestral traditions.
References:
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames.
- Cottle, B. (1983). The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames.
- Hanks, P., Hodges, F., & Coates, R. (2002). The Oxford Names Companion.
This entry provides an overview of the British surname Birch, including its origin, distribution, notable individuals, coat of arms, and legacy.
There are approximately 22,707 people named Birch in the UK. That makes it the 372nd most common surname in Britain. Around 349 in a million people in Britain are named Birch.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Barach
- Barch
- Barchi
- Barchue
- Barchus
- Barghchi
- Barich
- Baroch
- Bartch
- Baruch
- Bauch
- Bearch
- Berch
- Berchell
- Berchey
- Berchi
- Berchie
- Berich
- Bertsch
- Birca
- Birchal
- Birchall
- Bircham
- Birchby
- Birche
- Birchel
- Birchell
- Birchenough
- Bircher
- Birches
- Birchill
- Birchly
- Birchon
- Birtch
- Borch
- Borich
- Boroch
- Boruch
- Brash
- Breach
- Brich
- Burch
- Burchel
- Burchell
- Burches
- Burchia
- Burchill
- Burtch
- Burtchell
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.