This long-established surname has two distinct possible sources, each with its own history and derivation. Firstly, Burrage may be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of three places called Burridge in Devonshire. The placename derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "burh", fort, and "hrycg", ridge; hence, "fort on a ridge". Secondly, the surname may derive from the Middle English given name "Burrich", from the Olde English "Burgric", composed of the elements "burh, burg", a fortress, stronghold, and "ric", power. The given name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Burcheric, Burchricus, Burricus" and "Buric". In 1327, William Burrich is noted in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk, and Henry Borrich is listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Somerset. In the modern idiom the name can be found as Burridge and Burrage. On June 29th 1582, Phillis, daughter of Thomas Burrage, was christened at St. Botolph without Aldgate, London, and the marriage of Thomas burridge and Margaret Shelstone took place on August 28th 1645, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, also in London. A Coat of Arms granted to the family is a gold shield, with a red chevron between three black lions rampant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Borrich, which was dated 1327, in the "Lay Subsidy Rolls of Somerset", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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