Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Burnaby

      Origin

      English; Old English

      Meaning

      Stream Flowing Through A Burnt Place

      Variations

      Barnaby, Barnaba, Barnabe
      The name Burnaby derives from Old English, where it translates to stream flowing through a burnt place. This etymology combines two elements: burna, which means stream or brook, and by, referring to a settlement or farm. Hence, the name encapsulates a geographical characteristic that reflects the landscape of its origin—likely an area where a waterway traversed land that had been affected by fire.

      Historically, the name Burnaby has roots linked to various locations in England, particularly in the medieval era when place names were often derived from descriptive geographical features. The name has been mentioned in historical documents and maps, signifying settlement patterns and land usage in regions where such landscapes were prominent. Over time, it became associated with specific locales, ultimately influencing its spread and adoption in different contexts beyond England.

      In contemporary times, Burnaby is predominantly recognized as a place name, most notably in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, which is a vibrant city that has grown significantly since its incorporation in 1892. The name remains in use for various establishments, institutions, and communities, reflecting both its historical roots and modern identity. Furthermore, it continues to be selected as a first name in certain contexts, embodying both a sense of heritage and a unique character.

      Based on our records...

      Bull

      Bull

      This is the most common surname associated with Burnaby.
      Lucia

      Lucia

      This is the most common name of those married to a Burnaby.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name for a child of a Burnaby.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1885 is when there were the most people born with the first name Burnaby.

      Explore the origins of another name.