Burnham

Burnham is a surname of English origin and a place name used in several countries. The surname and toponym derive from Old English burn, meaning “stream,” and ham, meaning “homestead” or “village,” referring to a settlement by a stream.

Various places in the United Kingdom bear the name Burnham, including Burnham in Buckinghamshire and Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset. In the United States and other countries, Burnham appears as a place name in multiple communities, often reflecting settlers or colonial namesakes.

As a surname, Burnham has been borne by numerous individuals. The most prominent is Daniel Burnham (1846–1912), an American architect and urban planner instrumental in the development of the City Beautiful movement and the 1909 Plan of Chicago. Other bearers have contributed in fields such as politics, science, and the arts, though not all are widely known today.

The name continues to be used in modern times for towns, streets, and institutions named after people or places with Burnham as their origin. In popular culture, Burnham can also appear as a family name for fictional characters or as a geographic identifier in news and historical writing.