The majority of the Burnetts found trace their ancestry to the north of Scotland, Aberdeen County, town of Kemnay beginning around 1500 a.d. The name Burnett means, "A little brook or stream".
The family is of Saxton origion, but the Scottish branch has been seated in Northern Scotland for almost 500 years. The Burnetts decend from Robert Burnard, 1128 a.d.
When William the Conqueror came with a large army from French Normandy in 1066 a.d. and conquered the British Isles, they took control of all the groups and tribes living there. William the Conqueror ordered a roll made of all males living in 1086 a.d. This is known as the Doomsday Rolls. It was completed 1086 a.d.
On this roll every male had to take a surname. Up to this time men just had one name, a given name such as John, William, George, etc. There was no way of distinguishing between so many men with simular or the same given name. When these men took names, they took trade names such as: Smith as Blacksmith, Hunter, Carpenter, Cook, Miller, etc. Some took characteristic names like a tall man became Long John, or a short man, Jack Small or Jack Little, etc. Some took animal names. A sly person perhaps, James Fox, a good swimmer, Joe Fish, etc. Some took place names, a grassy area, Robert De Meadow. A person living living in town far to the west, Weston, and a person living in the last cottage became Endicott, etc. In England many took their fathers name like Jackson, Williamson, but in Scotland they took names like McWilliams, McDonald, etc.
The Burnetts were decended from Saxton origin in the South of England. Robert Burnard in 1128 a.d. was the first of that name. England was made up of Anglo-Saxtons, Druids, Picts, Jutes, Scots and Danes. Each lived in different areas as tribes until they were taken over by William the Conqueror. The name Burnett comes from the Scottish branch of the family.
