Burns (surname)

Surname

The surname Burns has several origins. In some cases, it derived from the Middle English or Scots burn, and originated as a topographic name for an individual who lived by a stream. In other cases the surname is a variant form of the surname Burnhouse, which originated as a habitational name, derived from a place name made up of the word elements burn and house.[1] In other cases the surname Burns originated as a nickname meaning "burn house".[2] In other cases, the surname Burns is an Anglicised form of the Irish Ó Broin,[1] which means "descendant of Bran".[3] In some cases the surname Burns is an Americanized form of the Jewish surname Bernstein,[1] which is derived from the German bernstein ("amber").[4]

An early form of the surname when derived from the place name Burnhouse is "Burnis", recorded in 1526. An early form of the surname when derived from a nickname meaning "burn house" is "Brenhus", recorded in 1286 and 1275.[5]

## List of notable persons with the surname Burns

[edit]

* Top
* A
* B
* C
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I
* J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* S
* T
* U
* V
* W
* Z

### A

[edit]

* Aaron Burns (born 1985), American film producer and actor
* Adrian Burns (born 1971), Australian rules footballer
* Agnes Burns (1762–1834), Scottish social figure
* A. K. Burns (born 1975), American artist
* Alan Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Albert Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alayna Burns (born 1980), Australian cyclist
* Alec Burns (1907–2003), English track and field athlete
* Alec Burns (cricketer) (born 1948), Trinidadian cricketer
* Alex Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alistair Burns (born 1964), English curler
* Allan Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Allen Burns (1870–1925), Australian rules footballer
* Andréa Burns (born 1971), American actress and singer
* Andrew Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Andy Burns (born 1990), American baseball player
* Angela Burns, British politician and businesswoman
* Anna Burns (born 1962), Northern Irish author
* Anne Burns (1915–2001), British engineer and pilot
* Anne Burns (linguist), Welsh-Australian linguist
* Anthony Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Antoine Burns (born 1979), American football player
* Archibald Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Archibaldo Burns (1914–2011), Mexican film director and writer
* Arnold Burns (1930–2013), American lawyer
* Arthur Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Artie Burns (born 1995), American football player

### B

[edit]

* Barnabas Burns (1817–1883), American politician and soldier
* Barnet Burns (1805–1860), English sailor
* Barry Burns, Scottish musician
* Bart Burns (1918–2007), American actor
* Beatrice Burns (1906–1988), American political figure
* Ben Burns (1913–2000), American publisher
* Benedict Delisle Burns (1915–2001), British neurophysiologist
* Berta Burns (1893–1972), New Zealand journalist and activist
* Beth Burns (born 1957), American basketball coach
* Beverly Burns (born 1949), American aviator
* Bill Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Billy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Billy Joe Burns (born 1989), Northern Irish footballer
* Bob Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Bobby Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Braidon Burns (born 1996), Australian rugby league footballer
* Breehn Burns, American screenwriter
* Brenda Burns (born 1950), American politician
* Brendon Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Brent Burns (born 1985), Canadian hockey player
* Brian Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Britt Burns (born 1959), American baseball player
* Brooke Burns (born 1978), American model and actor
* Bruce Burns (born 1952), American politician
* Bryant Burns (1929–2007), Australian politician
* Burnie Burns (born 1973), American writer and filmmaker
* Burton Burns (born 1952), American football coach

### C

[edit]

* Carol Burns (1947–2015), Australian actor
* Carol J. Burns, American chemist
* Carolyn Burns (born 1942), New Zealand ecologist
* Casey Burns (born 1975), American illustrator
* Catherine Burns (1945–2019), American actress
* Catherine Lloyd Burns (born 1961), American actress and writer
* C. B. Burns (1879–1968), American baseball player
* C. Delisle Burns (1879–1942), English writer
* Cha Burns (1957–2007), Scottish guitarist
* Charles Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Chris Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Christian Burns (born 1974), British musician
* Christian Burns (basketball) (born 1985), Italian-American basketball player
* Christine Burns (born 1954), British political activist
* Clarence H. Burns (1918–2003), American politician
* Clinton Sumner Burns (1871–1924), American civil engineer
* Colin Burns (born 1982), American soccer player
* Conrad Burns (1935–2016), American politician
* Cory Burns (born 1987), American baseball player
* Creighton Burns (1925–2008), Australian journalist
* Curry Burns (born 1981), American football player

### D

[edit]

* Dan Burns (born 1988), American lacrosse player
* Darin Burns (born 1964), Canadian football player
* Darren Burns (rugby league) (born 1974), Australian rugby league footballer
* Dave Burns (football manager), Dutch-British football coach
* Dave Burns (sportscaster) (born 1963), American sportscaster
* David Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Dawson Burns (1828–1909), English minister
* DeChon Burns (born 1970), American football coach
* Declan Burns (born 1956), Irish canoeist
* Denis Burns (born 1952), Irish hurling manager
* Dennis Burns (1898–1968), American baseball player
* Deondre Burns (born 1997), American basketball player
* DeWayne Burns (born 1972), American politician
* Diann Burns (born 1958), American news anchor
* Dick Burns (1863–1937), American baseball player
* D. J. Burns (born 2000), American basketball player
* Dominic Burns (born 1983), English film director
* Donald Burns (1921–1987), New Zealand cricket umpire
* Donnie Burns (born 1959), British dancer
* Draelon Burns (born 1985), American basketball player
* Duncan Burns, British wrestler

### E

[edit]

* Éamonn Burns (born 1972), Irish Gaelic footballer
* Éamonn Burns (Down Gaelic footballer) (1963–2019), Irish Gaelic footballer and manager
* Ed Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Eddie Burns (1916–2004), Australian rugby league footballer
* Edmund Burns (1892–1980), American actor
* Edward Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Eileen Burns (born 1989), Irish cyclist
* Eleanor Burns (born 1945), American quilter
* Elinor Burns (1887–1978), British suffragist
* Elizabeth Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ellen Bree Burns (1923–2019), American judge
* E. L. M. Burns (1897–1985), Canadian Army officer and diplomat
* Emelia Burns (born 1982), Australian actress
* Emile Burns (1889–1972), British author and economist
* Emmett C. Burns Jr. (1940–2022), American politician
* Eric Burns (born 1945), American media critic
* Erin Burns (born 1988), Australian cricketer
* Eugene Burns (??–1958), American war correspondent
* Eveline M. Burns (1900–1985), British-American economist
* Evers Burns (born 1971), American basketball player

### F

[edit]

* Farmer Burns (baseball) (1876–??), American baseball player
* F. C. Burns (1890–1915), American football player and businessman
* Findley Burns Jr. (1917–2003), American ambassador
* Frances E. Burns (1866–1937), American social leader and business executive
* Francis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Frank Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Frankie Burns (1889–1961), American boxer
* Fred Burns (tennis) (1889–1971), American tennis player
* Fred Burns (actor) (1878–1955), American actor
* Freddie Burns (born 1990), English rugby union footballer
* Frederick William Burns (1860–1923), American sports announcer

### G

[edit]

* Gene Burns (1940–2013), American radio host
* George Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Gerald Burns (1940–1997), American poet
* Gerard M. Burns (born 1961), Scottish painter
* Gilbert Burns (born 1986), Brazilian mixed martial artist
* Gilbert Burns (farmer) (1760–1827), Scottish farmer
* Gill Burns (born 1964), English rugby union footballer
* Glenn Burns (born 1952), American meteorologist
* Gordon Burns (born 1942), Northern Irish broadcaster
* Gordon Burns (footballer) (born 1978), Scottish footballer
* Graeme Burns (born 1971), Scottish rugby union footballer and coach
* Graham Burns (born 1966), British canoeist
* Greg Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Gregory Burns (born 1957), American athlete

### H

[edit]

* Harold Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Harriet Burns (1928–2008), American artist
* Harry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Helen Burns (1916–2018), English actress
* Henry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Herbert Burns (born 1988), Brazilian mixed martial artist
* Howard Burns (1939–2025), British architectural historian and professor
* Hugh Burns (disambiguation), multiple people

### I

[edit]

* Ian Burns (footballer) (1939–2015), Scottish footballer
* Ian Burns (snooker player) (born 1985), English snooker player
* Inez Brown Burns (1886–1976), American socialite
* Irene Burns, American television producer
* Isaac Burns (1869–1946), British trade unionist
* Isabella Burns (1771–1858), Scottish publisher
* Islay Burns (1817–1872), Scottish theologian

### J

[edit]

* Jabez Burns (1805–1876), English philosopher
* Jack Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jackie Burns (born 1980), American actress
* Jackie Burns (born 1997), Northern Irish footballer
* Jackson Burns (1956–2016), American stunt performer
* Jacob Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jaira Burns (born 1997), American singer-songwriter
* Jake Burns (born 1958), Irish musician
* Jake Burns (rugby union) (born 1941), New Zealand rugby union footballer
* James Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jarlath Burns (born 1968), Irish Gaelic footballer
* Jason Burns (American football) (born 1972), American football player
* Jean Burns (1919–2019), Australian aviator
* Jennifer Burns (politician), American politician
* Jerry Burns (1927–2021), American football player and coach
* Jessie Burns, Canadian musician
* J. Frederick Burns, American politician
* J. H. Burns (1921–2012), Scottish historian
* Jim Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* J. Irving Burns (1843–1925), American lawyer and politician
* Jock Burns (1894–1963), Scottish footballer
* Joel Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* John Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Jon G. Burns (born 1952), American politician
* Jordan Burns (born 1997), American basketball player
* Jordyn Burns (born 1992), American ice hockey player
* Joseph Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Josh Burns (fighter) (born 1978), American mixed martial artist
* Josh Burns (politician) (born 1987), Australian politician
* Joy S. Burns, American corporate executive
* J. Stewart Burns (born 1969), American television writer

### K

[edit]

* Karen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Karl Burns (born 1958), British musician
* Karla Burns (1954–2021), American soprano
* Kat Burns, Canadian musician
* Kay Burns, Canadian artist
* Keith Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kennedy Francis Burns (1842–1895), Canadian businessman and politician
* Kenneth Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kevin Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Kida Burns (born 2002), American hip-hop dancer
* Kieran Burns (born 1992), Scottish footballer
* Killian Burns (born 1975), Irish Gaelic footballer
* Kit Burns (1831–1870), American sportsman
* Kodi Burns (born 1988), American football coach
* Krysta Burns (born 1996), Canadian curler

### L

[edit]

* Lamont Burns (born 1974), American former footballer
* Larry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Laura Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Lauren Burns (born 1974), Australian taekwondo practitioner
* Lauri Burns, American writer and philanthropist
* Lawton Burns (born 1951), American business theorist
* Lenny Burns, British singer
* Leon Burns (1942–1984), American professional footballer
* Leopoldina Burns (1855–1942), American missionary
* Les Burns (1920–2015), Australian rules footballer
* Liam Burns (born 1978), Northern Irish footballer
* Liam Burns (NUS president) (born 1984), British union leader
* Lilly Burns, American television producer
* Lindsay Burns (born 1965), American rower
* Lindy Burns, Australian radio presenter
* Lizzie Burns (1827–1878), Irish political figure
* Lloyd Burns (born 1984), Welsh rugby union footballer
* Loree Griffin Burns, American author
* Louis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Louisa Burns (1869–1958), American physician
* Louise Burns (born 1985), Canadian singer-songwriter
* Lucy Burns (1879–1966), American suffragist
* Luke F. Burns (1881–1956), American lawyer and politician

### M

[edit]

* Major Burns (born 2002), American football player
* Malcolm Burns (1910–1986), New Zealand agriculturalist
* M. Anthony Burns (born 1942), American businessman
* Marc Burns (born 1983), Trinidadian athlete
* Margaret Burns (1769–1792), Scottish prostitute
* Marge Burns (1925–2009), American professional golfer
* Margo Burns, American historian
* Marilyn Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Marion Burns (1907–1993), American actress
* Marjorie Burns (born 1940), English literary scholar
* Mark Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Marsha Burns (born 1945), American photographer
* Martha Burns (born 1957), Canadian actress
* Martin Burns (1861–1937), American wrestler
* Marvin Burns (1928–1990), American water polo player
* Mary Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Matthew James Burns (born 1985), Scottish record producer
* Max Burns (born 1948), American politician
* Megan Burns (born 1986), English musician and actor
* Michael Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* M. Michele Burns (born 1958), American businesswoman
* Morgan Burns (born 1993), American football player
* M. W. Burns (born 1958), American sound artist

### N

[edit]

* Nathan Burns (born 1988), Australian footballer
* Neal Burns (1892–1969), American actor
* Neil Burns (born 1965), English cricketer
* Neil Burns (footballer) (born 1945), Scottish footballer
* Nellie Marie Burns (1850–1897), American actor and poet
* Nica Burns (born 1954), British theatre producer
* Nicholas Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Norm Burns (1918–1995), Canadian ice hockey player

### O

[edit]

* Olive Ann Burns (1924–1990), American writer
* Otto L. Burns (1868–1941), American politician
* Otway Burns (1775–1850), American privateer
* Owen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Oyster Burns (1864–1928), American baseball player

### P

[edit]

* Paddy Burns (1881–1943), New Zealand rugby union footballer
* Patrick Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Patti Burns (1952–2001), American journalist
* Paul Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Pauline Powell Burns (1872–1912), American pianist and artist
* Pete Burns (1959–2016), English musician
* Peter Burns (disambiguation), multiple people

### R

[edit]

* Ralph Burns (1922–2001), American pianist
* Randal Burns, American computer scientist
* Randy Burns, American music producer
* Randy Burns (singer) (born 1948), American singer-songwriter
* Raymond Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Rebecca Burns, American journalist
* Red Burns (1925–2013), Canadian-American academic
* Regan Burns (born 1968), American actor
* Rex Burns (born 1935), American author
* Ric Burns (born 1955), American documentary filmmaker and writer
* Rick Burns, Canadian politician
* Richard Burns (1971–2005), English rally driver
* Ricky Burns (born 1983), Scottish boxer
* R. Nicholas Burns (born 1956), American politician
* Rob Burns (born 1953), New Zealand bass player
* Robert Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ronald Burns (athlete) (1903–1985), Indian sprinter
* Ronnie Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Rory Burns (born 1990), English cricketer
* Roy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Ryan Burns (born 1992), Northern Irish footballer

### S

[edit]

* Sam Burns (born 1996), American golfer
* Samuel Burns (born 1982), American rower
* Sarah Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Scott Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Sean Burns (footballer) (born 1991), Scottish footballer
* Shernyl Burns (born 1991), West Indian cricketer
* Sheryl Burns, New Zealand netball player
* Silas Reese Burns (1855–1940), American architect
* Síle Burns, Irish camogie player
* Simon Burns (born 1952), British politician
* Stephan W. Burns (1954–1990), American actor
* Stephanie Burns (born 1955), American chemist
* Stephen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Steve Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Stewart Burns (1899–?), Scottish golfer
* Sylvia Burns (born 1955), South African lawn bowler

### T

[edit]

* Tanner Burns (born 1998), American baseball player
* Tara Burns (fl. 1990s–2020s), Irish judge
* Ted Burns (1889–1972), Australian rules footballer
* Terry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Thea Burns, American art conservator
* Theobald M. Burns (1862–1926), Canadian merchant and politician
* Thomas Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Tim Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Tito Burns (1921–2010), British musician
* Todd Burns (born 1963), American baseball player
* Tommy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Tony Burns (born 1944), English footballer
* Tosher Burns (1902–1984), Irish footballer
* T. P. Burns (1924–2018), Irish jockey
* Travis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Trevor Burns (born 2001), American soccer player

### U

[edit]

* Ursula Burns (born 1958), American businesswoman

### V

[edit]

* Veronica Burns (1914–1998), Irish museum curator
* Vincent Burns (1981–2024), American football player

### W

[edit]

* Waller Thomas Burns (1858–1917), American judge
* Walter Noble Burns (1866–1932), American author
* Wes Burns (born 1994), Welsh footballer
* W. Haydon Burns (1912–1987), American politician
* W. Haywood Burns (1940–1996), American lawyer and activist
* Wilfred Burns (born 1990), British composer
* Wilfred Burns (town planner) (1923–1984), British town planner
* William Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
* Willie Burns (1916–1966), American baseball player
* Willis B. Burns (1851–1915), American businessman and politician

### Z

[edit]

* Zachary Burns (born 1996), American rower

## Fictional characters

[edit]

* Mr. Burns, a character in the television series The Simpsons
* Eunice Burns, a character in the film What's Up, Doc?
* Sir Isambard Burns, a character in Raymond Postgate's novel Verdict of Twelve

## See also

[edit]

* Burnes, a page with people named "Burnes"
* Berns (surname), a page with people with the given surname "Berns"
* Governor Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Governors surnamed "Burns"
* Lord Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Lords surnamed "Burns"
* Senator Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Senators surnamed "Burns"

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Oxford Dictionary of Family Names: Burns, Answers.com, retrieved 28 January 2013. This webpage is a partial transcription of Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, 2006.
2. ^ Reaney, Percy Hilde (1995), Wilson, Richard Middlewood (ed.), A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press, pp. 63, 75, ISBN 0-19-863146-4.
3. ^ Oxford Dictionary of Family Names: Byrne, Answers.com, retrieved 28 January 2013. This webpage is a partial transcription of Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, 2006.
4. ^ Oxford Dictionary of Family Names: Bernstein, Answers.com, retrieved 28 January 2013. This webpage is a partial transcription of Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, 2006.
5. ^ Reaney, Percy Hilde (1995), Wilson, Richard Middlewood (ed.), A Dictionary of English Surnames (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press, p. 75, ISBN 0-19-863146-4.

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Burns.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.