Bourn

Bourn is a British surname with Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Old English word "burna," meaning a stream or small river. The surname is primarily found in England, particularly in the regions of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

Origins:

The Bourn family name is believed to have originated in localities that were situated near a stream or a river. People residing in such areas often adopted the surname to identify themselves with their place of origin.

Distribution:

The surname Bourn is relatively uncommon, with only a small number of individuals bearing this name in England. Some families with the surname have been traced back to historical records in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, indicating a regional concentration of the name in these areas.

Notable Bearers:

  • John Bourn: A theoretical physicist known for his contributions to the field of quantum mechanics.
  • Margaret Bourn: An acclaimed author of historical fiction novels set in medieval England.
  • Peter Bourn: A renowned landscape painter whose works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries across the UK.

Through its association with riverine landscapes and ancestral connections to specific regions in England, the surname Bourn carries a sense of local identity and heritage for those who bear it.

There are approximately 828 people named Bourn in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,553rd most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Bourn.

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

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Hugh
  • James
  • John
  • Jonathan
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Simon
  • Thomas

Female

  • Eileen
  • Georgina
  • Julie
  • Kathleen
  • Katie
  • Lucy
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Pauline
  • Sally
  • Sandra
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Tracey

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