Surname Berriman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Berriman: What does the surname Berriman mean?
The surname Berriman originates from England, specifically Cornwall and Devon. This surname is topographical, indicating it references geographical features of the landscape, rather than a person's occupation or father's name, which are other common origins of surnames. Berriman essentially means "dweller by the hill" or "hill man." The name is derived from "beorg," an Old English term for "mountain" or "hill," and "mann," which means "man." Over time, "beorg-mann" has been anglicized to Berriman. Thus, if someone has the last name Berriman, it might suggest that their ancestors lived by a hill or a mountain. It's also possible that this surname was given to someone who migrated from a hilly region. Since surnames often played functional roles in earlier societies, the name Berriman might have served to distinguish between individuals or families living in different geographical areas. Today, it continues to be a fairly uncommon name.
Order DNA origin analysisBerriman: Where does the name Berriman come from?
The surname Berriman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, commonly found in England. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Beornmund", composed of the elements "beorn", meaning young warrior, and "mund", meaning protection or guardian. Overtime, "Beornmund" developed into the Middle English and later surname Berriman.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is of William Bereman, dating around the late 13th century during the reign of King Edward I of England. The Berriman name spread across England, particularly being prevalent in Cornwall by the 16th century.
In modern times, the surname Berriman is still common across the UK, but has also spread to other English-speaking countries through migration. It is particularly prominent in Australia and the United States, alongside its country of origin, the United Kingdom. This geographical dispersion provides an indicator of where the Berriman family established its roots and where descendants can often be found today.
Variations of the surname Berriman
The surname Berriman is of English origin, typically found in Cornwall. The name's etymology suggests that it may have derived from either a nickname for someone fond of drinking (from the Old English words 'bere', meaning barley, and 'mann', meaning man) or a topographical name for someone who lived by a gate (from the Middle English 'bar', meaning gate, and 'man').
Variant spellings of the Berriman surname include Beriman, Berryman, Buryman, Bereman, Bearman, and Berremen. Each spelling alters the surname slightly while maintaining its phonetic essence. The name may also be subject to changes due to regional dialects and accents.
In terms of surnames with the same origin, those that have their root in occupational or topographical identifiers, or those from the same geographical area, could be classed as of the same origin. This could include names like Barleyman, Gateman, or Cornwall. As with any surname, variations in spelling and pronunciation may arise due to cultural, geographical, and historical factors.
Famous people with the name Berriman
- Robert Berriman: An Australian water polo player who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Matt Berriman: An Australian entrepreneur and co-founder of tech company Unlockd.
- Fred W. Berriman: A baseball player who had a brief career in Major League Baseball during the 1910s. These are the individuals that have a noticeable presence in public records or have achieved certain recognition in their respective fields. This is not to say there are not more notable individuals with the last name Berriman, but definitive information can be limited.