Burns Family Photos

by: Joe Burns

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Robert and Felma Burns “A Walk
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Burns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The ancestors of the Burns family lived among the Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Burns is a name for someone who lived in the county of Cumberland. At the onset, it is best first to establish that the family name Burns is in fact a Clan rather than a Sept of the Campbell Clan. A Roll of the Clans and Chiefs in 1597 shows the Burns Clan as having territories in the eastern Border marches of Scotland in East Teviotdale.

They were described as an unruly Clan. However, to relate the origins of this great Clan, we must go back to the year 1329, when their territories were located in the parish of Glenbervie. They had moved into these lands during the reign of King Edward I of England, from Burneshead, Cumberland, sometime around 1296.

Little is known about their previous history, but it is thought that they derived from a race called the Boernicians, a race of early Scots that ruled the north East coast of England as far north as Edinburgh. By 1375, the Clan had extended its territories to include Burnhouse of Kair, Burnside of Monboddo, Bralinmuir and Bon Jordan in Inchbreck, and Bernys in the barony of Renfrew.

“But for the name of the Scottish poet, genealogists north of the Tweed have a different origin – His forefathers are said to have come from Taynuilt or Burnhouse there, and emigrated to Forfarshire, where they – of course they were Campbells – were designated by the name Campbells of Burnhouse, and latterly Burness or simply Burns.” ^[1]

Further to the south in England, there is another possible origin of the name: “this surname is derived from a geographical locality. ‘at the burn,’ i.e. stream; Middle English burne or bourne. More especially parishes in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, and Hampshire.” ^[2]

Early Origins of the Burns family

The surname Burns was first found in Cumberland, where the original name was Burness. Even Robert Burns and his brother both agreed to shorten their name to Burns due to the difficulty in pronunciation in the Gaelic tongue. Later, the name was also spelled Bourne, Burn, and even Bernes.

The famed Robert “Rabbie” Burns (1759-1796), a Scottish poet and lyricist best known as the national poet of Scotland, and author of “Auld Lang Syne.” He was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, and was the eldest of the seven children of William Burnes (1721-1784), a self-educated tenant farmer.

Early History of the Burns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Burns research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1603, 1851, 1877, 1759, 1796, 1741 and are included under the topic Early Burns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burns Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were hardly exact sciences in Medieval Scotland. Sound, rather than any set of rules, was the basis for spellings, so one name was often spelled in different ways even within a single document. Spelling variations are thus an extremely common occurrence in Medieval Scottish names. Burns has been spelled Burns, Burnes, Burness, and others.

Early Notables of the Burns family (pre-1700)

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Burns Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burns World Ranking

In the United States, the name Burns is the 142^nd most popular surname with an estimated 161,655 people with that name. ^[3] However, in Canada, the name Burns has ranked the 236^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,125 people with that name. ^[4] And in Australia, the name Burns is the 117^th most popular surname with an estimated 23,318 people with that name. ^[5] New Zealand ranks Burns 196^th with 2,845 people. ^[6] The United Kingdom ranks Burns 133^rd with 37,701 people. ^[7]

Migration of the Burns family to Ireland

Some of the Burns family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland are included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Burns migration to the United States+

Such hard times forced many to leave their homeland in search of opportunity across the Atlantic. Many of these families settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. The ancestors of many of these families have rediscovered their roots in the 20th century through the establishment of Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Among them:

Burns Settlers in the United States in the 18th Century

Eleanor Burns, who arrived in America in 1796 ^[8]

Burns Settlers in the United States in the 19th Century

Mick Burns, aged 25, landed in New York, NY in 1803 ^[8]
Agnes Burns, who arrived in America in 1805 ^[8]
Catherine Burns, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 ^[8]
Elizabeth Burns, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 ^[8]
Darby Burns, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 ^[8]

Burns migration to Canada+

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Burns Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. George Burns U.E. who settled in Sissiboo [Weymouth], Nova Scotia c. 1783 he served in the Kings American Regiment as well as Kings Orange Rangers ^[9]
Mr. James Burns U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 ^[9]
Mr. Philip Burns U.E. who settled in St. Andrews, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 ^[9]
Mr. Samuel Burns U.E. who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1783 ^[9]
Mr. William Burns U.E. who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1783 ^[9]
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Burns Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catherine Burns, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1806
James Burns, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1828
Milton C Burns, who landed in Canada in 1830
Mary Burns, aged 36, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “William” from Kinsale, Ireland
Ann Burns, aged 10, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship “William” from Kinsale, Ireland
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Burns Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Mrs. A M Burns, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907
Alice M E Burns, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Burns migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Burns Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Burns, British Convict who was convicted in Stirling, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the “Earl Spencer” in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia ^[10]
Mr. Francis Burns, English convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Elizabeth” in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia ^[11]
Mr. Charles Burns, (Barns), Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Caledonia” on 5th July 1820, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) ^[12]
John Burns, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the “Asia” on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia ^[13]
John Burns, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the “Asia” on April 1st, 1822, settling in New South Wales, Australia ^[13]
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Burns migration to New Zealand+

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Burns Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Burns, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
John Burns, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mrs Burns, who landed in Nelson, New Zealand in 1841 aboard the ship Lord Auckland
Mr. Peter Burns, British settler arriving as the 1st detachment of Royal New Zealand Fencible Corps travelling from Tilbury, Essex aboard the ship “Ramillies” arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th August 1847 ^[14]
Rev. Thomas Burns, Scottish settler travelling from Greenock aboard the ship “Philip Laing” arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 15th April 1848 ^[14]
… (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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Historic Events for the Burns family+

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Charles Burns, British Assistant Storekeeper from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking ^[15]

Flight 191

Paula M Burns, American from San Diego, California, USA, aged 32, who worked aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash ^[16]

Halifax Explosion

Mr. John Burns (1847-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the explosion ^[17]

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. John Reardon Burns (1913-1941), Australian Acting Stoker Petty Officer from Stawell, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking ^[18]

HMS Hood

Mr. Albert S Burns (b. 1913), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the sinking ^[19]

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Donald Burns, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking ^[20]

HMS Repulse

Mr. Gerrard Burns, British Leading Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking ^[21]
Mr. Thomas R Burns, Irish Leading Telegraphist from Ireland, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking ^[21]

HMS Royal Oak

John Edward Burns (1911-1939), British Corporal with the Royal Marine aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking ^[22]
Arthur Burns (d. 1939), British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking ^[22]

Lady of the Lake

Miss Isabella Burns (b. 1813), Irish traveller from Fintonia, Ireland who sailed aboard the “Lady of the Lake” from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
Miss Letitia Burns (b. 1811), Irish traveller from Fintonia, Ireland who sailed aboard the “Lady of the Lake” from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
Mrs. Isabella Burns (b. 1783), Irish traveller from Fintonia, Ireland who sailed aboard the “Lady of the Lake” from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Peter Burns, English Trimmer from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking ^[23]
Mr. Joseph Burns, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania and survived the sinking ^[23]
Mr. John James Burns, English Leading Fireman from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania and died in the sinking ^[23]

RMS Titanic

Miss Mary Delia Burns (d. 1912), aged 17, Irish Third Class passenger from Kilmacowen, Sligo who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking ^[24]
Miss Elizabeth Margaret Burns, aged 41, American First Class passenger from Tuxedo Park, New York who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 3 ^[24]

SS Caribou

Mr. J. M. Burns, American passenger who was US Navy was travelling aboard the railway ferry “SS Caribou” when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. John Edward Burns, American Fireman First Class from Pennsylvania, USA working aboard the ship “USS Arizona” when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking ^[25]

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. John Martin Burns (b. 1881), Scottish mine worker from Ayr, Scotland residing in Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion ^[26]
Mr. Ralph Burns (b. 1860), American mine worker from Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion ^[26]

Link Included:

Family Crest