Borris

Recorded in the spellings of Borras, Borres, Booris, Bores, Boris and Borris, this is a rare surname. It derives from the Russian personal name "Boris", itself a development of the Old Bulgarian given name "Bogoris". This name was carried by the King of the Bulgarians, when he was converted to christianity in 864 a.d. St Boris is the patron saint of Moscow. The name is believed to translate as "fight-glory" from the two elements "bor" meaning to fight or struggle, and "slav", meaning glory. A more logical explanation is that the original meaning was "great warrior". The hereditary surname in its various spellings, is believed to be unique in being the only English surname derived from a Russian origin. Although the date of entry into England is not known, it is probably associated with the Crusader period between the eleventh and fourteenth Centuries. It is well recorded particularly in the church registers of London, from the mid 16th Century. These recordings include Paule Booris, christened at the church of St. Bartholomew Exchange, in 1561, Randall Boris, christened at St Andrews church, Holborn, on August 15th 1564, and Thomas Bores, who married Susanna Smithe on November 27th 1595, at St Stephan's church, Coleman Street. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Margret Borras, which was dated February 27th 1559, at St. Margaret church, Westminster. This was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.