Meaning of Last Name

Meaning: "fortified hill"

Burke is an English variant of the Irish surname originating with de Burca from the Anglo-Normans and specifically the Hiberno-Normans. de Burca has remained the form of the name in the Irish language (Irish Gaelic). In Old French, the name means "fortified hill". Variants include Bourke, de Burgo, Burgh, and De Burgh. Many Irish emigrants to Quebec and other francophone regions of Canada chose to change the spelling of the name to Bourque. Burke is an uncommon given name. Several localities around the world have been named Burke.