Burgess \b(u)-rge-ss, bur-gess\ as a boy's name is of Old French origin, and the meaning of Burgess is "freeman of a borough". Transferred use of the surname, in origin a status name from the Old French "burgeis", which is derived from the German "burg" meaning "town". Actor Burgess Meredith; poet Gelett Burgess.

Burgess has 3 variant forms: Burges, Burgiss and Burr.

For more information, see also the related name Burroughs.

Baby names that sound like Burgess are Briggs, Brooks and Parkes.