Boord to Bughersh

The archaic pronunciation of surnames has not always developed at the same pace as our language, and can cause confusion. The table below gives guidance on the pronunciation of a selection of English surnames - establishing the traditional pronunciation of a surname will ensure that you do not cause offence.

Surname Pronunciation
Boord Board
Boreel Borale
Borrowes Burrows
Borwick Borrick
Bosham Bos-am
Bosanquet Bozen-ket
Boscawen Bos-cowen
Botetourt Botti-tort
Boughey Boey
Boughton Bought-on (village pronounced 'Bough-ton')
Bourchier Bough-cher
Bourke Burke
Bourne Boorn
Bowden Bowden (as in 'no')
Bowes Bose (to rhyme with 'rose')
Bowman Boman
Bowyer Bo-yer (as in 'no')
Brabazon Brab-azon
Brabourne Bray-burn
Breadalbane Bread-auburn
Breitmeyer Bright-mire
Brereton Breer-ton
Brise Brize
Brocas Brockas
Broke Brook (HMS Broke as spelt)
Bromhead Brumhead
Brougham Broom or Brooham
Broughton Brawton
Broun Brune
Bruntisfield Bruntsfield
Brynkir Brinkeer
Buccleuch Bu-cloo
Bulkeley Buckley
Burgh Borough
Burghersh Burg-ish

 

Register for updates

Register here to receive our regular newsletter, exclusive offers and updates on new Debrett’s initiatives.

Register here now

Competition

Win a pair of Pocket Books