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

Burridge of Halden, Kent

Burridge of Tiverton, Devon

Burridge (Halden, Kent) – Or, a chevron gules between three lions rampant sable.

This coat of arms appears on the grave of John Burridge (1738–1771), son of Benjamin Burridge, Rector of Halden.

Burridge (Tiverton, Devon) – Azure, three dolphins naiant, embowed argent, on a chief Or, three rudders sable. With a crest A demi mariner ppr. his waistcoat gules cap. azure neckcloth argent supporting a rudder sable.

This coat of arms was granted 8th March 1700, by Sir Thomas St. George (Garter), and Sir Henry St. George, Clarencieux, (Ms. Coll. Arm. “Reg. Nob: & Gent: V.” fo. 42) to Robert Burridge (1656–1717).

Burridge (Lillesden & Hawkhurst, Kent) – The same [as Devon].

The Lyme Regis branch of the Burridges was in shipping (including slaving) from various West Country ports and it was to this branch that arms were granted early in 1700. The full achievement of arms reflects the Burridge seafaring: "Azure three dolphins naiant embowed argent, on a chief or three rudders sable. Crest a demi-mariner proper his waistcoat gules cap azure neckcloth argent supporting a rudder sable". These arms are also credited to Burridge of Hawksworth, Kent. A further grant is recorded to William, son of William, of Portsmouth and Chard, later in the eighteenth century.

A family legend about origins in three Danish brothers coming over for the Conquest and being "the bowmen of the ridge", and attributions to nearby Bowditch, I believe the surname derives from the place-name Burridge, of which there are four in Devon (and one in Hampshire). The family story seems to have withstood the uncomfortable but incontrovertible fact that it was the Saxons who held the ridge, in order to force the Normans to charge uphill. The legend has even produced an alternative set of arms, depicting arrows, which at one time was visible in the church at Lyme Regis.

Both recorded in the 1884 General Armory by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms.

Burr (Aldermaston Court, co. Berks). Erm. on a mount vert, issuing from park palings with gate ppr. a lion ramp. or, holding in the dexter paw a scimitar all ppr.; on a chief indented sa. two lions ramp. ar. Crest—Out of a mural crown inscribed with the word “Ternate”, a Malay holding in his dexter hand the colours of Ternate all ppr. granted in commemoration of the capture in 1801 of that island, the chief of the Malaccas, by the late Lieut.-Gen. Daniel Burr, H.E.I.C.S. Motto—Virtus verus honos.

Burr. Or, a cross aiguise voided az. Crest—A lion's bead ppr. collared or.

Burr (Ramsay, Dover Court, and Wrabness, co. Essex). Erm. on a chief indented sa. two lions ramp.

Burra. Erm. a chev. engr. az. betw. three chaplets of roses ppr. a chief vert fretty ar. Crest—In front of a gryphon’s head erased sa. semée of annulets or, a fret of the last.

Burrard (Walhampton, Hants, bart.). Az. a lion pass. ar. betw. two estoiles in chief and a cross crosslet fitchée in base of the second, on a chief or, two lions ramp. respecting each other gu., supporting a sinister hand couped of the last. Crest—A naval crown or, therefrom issuing a cubit arm erect ppr. charged with a cross pattée gu., the hand grasping a trident in bend sinister, point downwards, gold. Supporters—(granted by royal warrant, 1839, to descend with the baronetcy) on either side a lion reguard. ar. standing upon an anchor ppr., supporting a trident erect or, gorged with a naval crown therefrom a chain, reflexed over the back az. Motto—Persevere.

Burrard (Lymington, co. Hants, bart.). Per fesse embattled gu. and az. a lion pass, erminois betw. three mullets of six points or, on a canton ar. a sword erect ppr. Crest—Out of a mural crown per pale or and ar. an arm embowed, surrounded with a wreath of laurel, the hand grasping a sword all ppr.

...

Burridge (Tiverton, co. Devon, and of Lillesden, Hawkhurst, co. Kent). Az. three dolphins naiant, embowed ar. on a chief or, three rudders sa. Crest—A demi mariner ppr. his waistcoat gu. cap. az. neckcloth ar. supporting a rudder sa.

Burridge (Halden, co. Kent). Or, a chev. gu. betw. three lions ramp. sa.

Burrish. Per fesse gu. and ar. over all a lion ramp. double queued or. Crest—Out of a tower per pale, ar. and gu. a demi lion ramp. double queued or.

Sources

• 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)
• Book of Traceable Heraldic Art: Dolphin Lion Rudder
• Wikimedia coat of arms: Dolphins Lions rampant