Burriss

Burriss is a surname of English origin. It is believed to be a variant of the surname Burrows or Burroughs, which itself derives from the Old English word "burg" meaning fortified place or town. The suffix "-is" is a common patronymic suffix, indicating "son of" or "descendant of," though its exact application in this context is debated among etymologists.

Therefore, Burriss likely originally signified someone who lived near a fortified place or who was descended from someone who lived near such a place. Variations of the name, including Burroughs, Burris, and Borris, are found across England and the United States.

The name Burriss is found with relatively low frequency, indicating it is not a particularly common surname. Individuals with the surname Burriss are found primarily in the United States. Historical records indicate families with this surname were present in the Southern United States as early as the 18th century.