This is a medieval English pre 12th century name which can either be locational and means 'one who lives by the castle' (buri), or more probably, it is job descriptive for somebody who worked 'burras' ie. donkeys or mules, a packhorse driver possibly. There are at least four modern spellings including: Berriman, Berryman, Beriman and Bearryman, whilst the name development has included, Alexander Beriman, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Berkshire in 1176, whilst Robert Buryman is recorded in Somerset in 1273. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Edricos Buriman which was dated 1148 The Hampshire County Pipe Rolls during the reign of King Stephen (Stephen of Blois) 1135-1154 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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