Surname Berrie - Meaning and Origin
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Berrie: What does the surname Berrie mean?
The surname Berrie is of Scottish origin and is considered to be a locational surname, derived from a place called Barry in Angus, Scotland. The place name "Barry" is itself derived from the Gaelic term 'barr', which means 'hill' or 'top'. Therefore, the surname implies someone who lived on or near a hill. Apart from Scotland, the surname is also found in other cultures like Irish, where it is considered an anglicized form of Gaelic "Ó Beargha", meaning 'descendant of Beargha'. Beargha is a personal name derived from 'bearach', meaning 'sharp' or 'pointed'. Over time, the spelling evolved due to different dialects and language use, and variations include Berry, Barrie, and Berrey. Like many surnames, it started to be used during the Middle Ages, making it easier to distinguish between individuals with the same first name.
Order DNA origin analysisBerrie: Where does the name Berrie come from?
The surname Berrie is of English origin and derives from the pre-7th century Old English word "berie" which means a berry. It was most likely used as a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of berries. Another possibility is that it was used as a nickname for someone who had a rosy complexion. Sometimes, it could have been a locational surname derived from various places named Berry or Berrie in England.
Scarce in the present day, according to surname distribution data, the surname Berrie is most common in the United States and Scotland. However, it's also found in some parts of England, Australia, Canada, and South Africa. Despite its popularity in these countries, it remains quite unique and less commonly seen around. The different variations of the spelling include Berry, Bury, Bery, Burie, Berrie, Berrey, Berree, and others. It’s worth noting that migration over the centuries has played a significant role in surname dispersal, so the presence of the surname in any country could be due to this.
Variations of the surname Berrie
The surname Berrie has various variants, spellings, and other related surnames, attributable to the diverse origins of the word and the changes it went through across different cultures and regions over time. Some of the alternative spellings and surnames include Berry, Bury, Burry, Berrey, Berree, Berri, and Beri.
The surname Berrie could potentially be derived from geographical locations like the French towns of Berry or Bury in England, or from the old English term "burh", which translates to a fortified manor which also became "bury" over time. Thus, it led to the creation of different surnames including Berrie. The name can also originate from the occupational term "berriman", meaning the carrier of the berries.
Therefore, the surname has derivatives in several languages, having different connotations but generally retained the phonetics.
Moreover, there are several related surnames to Berrie in other languages like the German 'Beere', the Dutch 'Bes', and the Scandinavian surname 'Bär'. It is important to mention that despite the similarities, these surnames may not necessarily share the exact same origin or meaning with Berrie.
In conclusion, Berrie is a surname with multiple potential origins, representing diverse historical, geographical, and occupational contexts.
Famous people with the name Berrie
- Stan Berrie: former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Berj Inc., a children's entertainment and media company.
- Bailey Berrie: British actress and singer.
- Samuel Berrie: British artist and illustrator.
- Jim Berrie: British actor, writer and comedian.
- Ed Berrie: American stuntman and actor.
- Jimmy Berrie: Scottish footballer.
- Robbie Berrie: Scottish singer-songwriter and musician.
- Paulette Berrie: French fashion designer.
- Robert Berrie: Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
- Sharlee Berrie: American visual artist.
- Galen Berrie: British author.
- Michael Berrie: American Attorney and TV legal analyst.
- John Berrie: Scottish physician and philanthropist.
- William Berrie: English composer and musical director.