Just where did the Burch Family name come from? I was always told we were "Pennsylvania Dutch" whenever I questioned my heritage. Just like a Burch, to be too lazy to look up our heritage any further back than the American Revolution. But I digress.
According to www.HouseOfNames.Com - the Burch name derived from both the Dutch and the English.
The Dutch Burch families were first found in Holland, and were noted for their many branches in the region (way to pro-create Burches!) each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region.

The Burch families on English soil date clear back to the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 (WOW!). The Burch family lived in an area close to a birch tree which is derived from the Old English word Birce, which literally means birch. So cool - Burch means Burch. I always wondered...

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and others became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate (probably not Burch's then...). The Variations of the surname Burch include Birch, Birche, Burch, Berch and others.

First found in Lancashire, where they held a family seat from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Follow the links for Burch and Shanks to houseofnames.com for lots of cool info.

If, you are going by Burch Luck - it's looking like the Dutch version is more likely where we hail from.

Apparently the Burch Motto translated to: Simply prudent. According to me, that means "cheap."

The Burch surname, turns out, is a little more distinguished than I first thought. My family seems to always joke about "Burch Luck" and the cute, funny stories that sometimes accompany a Burch. For me, I've never been particularly lucky in terms of lottery or Bingo, or anything else that could net an instant fortune. As the saying goes, at least in our family, you are not likely to win the lottery unless you are on your death bed. Hence the term "Burch Luck."

So, that's why I created this Blog; to do some family research, not just on Burch, but on Shanks as well. Because who knows how far back "Burch Luck" really goes? Maybe it started with us, maybe Grandma Burch brought it over from the Shanks side. We'll soon find out!