The surname Burns has several origins. In some cases, it derived from the Middle English or Scots burn, and originated as a topographic name for an individual who lived by a stream. In other cases the surname is a variant form of the surname Burnhouse, which originated as a habitational name, derived from a place name made up of the word elements burn and house.^[1] In other cases the surname Burns originated as a nickname meaning "burn house".^[2] In other cases, the surname Burns is an Anglicised form of the Irish Ó Broin,^[1] which means "descendant of Bran".^[3] In some cases the surname Burns is an Americanized form of the Jewish surname Bernstein,^[1] which is derived from the German bernstein ("amber").^[4]

An early form of the surname when derived from the place name Burnhouse is "Burnis", recorded in 1526. An early form of the surname when derived from a nickname meaning "burn house" is "Brenhus", recorded in 1286 and 1275.^[5]

• Aaron Burns (born 1985), American film producer and actor
• Adrian Burns (born 1971), Australian rules footballer
• Agnes Burns (1762–1834), Scottish social figure
• A. K. Burns (born 1975), American artist
• Alan Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Albert Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Alayna Burns (born 1980), Australian cyclist
• Alec Burns (1907–2003), English track and field athlete
• Alec Burns (cricketer) (born 1948), Trinidadian cricketer
• Alex Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Alistair Burns (born 1964), English curler
• Allan Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Allen Burns (1870–1925), Australian rules footballer
• Andréa Burns (born 1971), American actress and singer
• Andrew Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Andy Burns (born 1990), American baseball player
• Angela Burns, British politician and businesswoman
• Anna Burns (born 1962), Northern Irish author
• Anne Burns (1915–2001), British engineer and pilot
• Anne Burns (linguist), Welsh-Australian linguist
• Anthony Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Antoine Burns (born 1979), American football player
• Archibald Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Archibaldo Burns (1914–2011), Mexican film director and writer
• Arnold Burns (1930–2013), American lawyer
• Arthur Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Artie Burns (born 1995), American football player

• Barnabas Burns (1817–1883), American politician and soldier
• Barnet Burns (1805–1860), English sailor
• Barry Burns, Scottish musician
• Bart Burns (1918–2007), American actor
• Beatrice Burns (1906–1988), American political figure
• Ben Burns (1913–2000), American publisher
• Benedict Delisle Burns (1915–2001), British neurophysiologist
• Berta Burns (1893–1972), New Zealand journalist and activist
• Beth Burns (born 1957), American basketball coach
• Beverly Burns (born 1949), American aviator
• Bill Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Billy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Billy Joe Burns (born 1989), Northern Irish footballer
• Bob Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Bobby Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Braidon Burns (born 1996), Australian rugby league footballer
• Breehn Burns, American screenwriter
• Brenda Burns (born 1950), American politician
• Brendon Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Brent Burns (born 1985), Canadian hockey player
• Brian Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Britt Burns (born 1959), American baseball player
• Brooke Burns (born 1978), American model and actor
• Bruce Burns (born 1952), American politician
• Bryant Burns (1929–2007), Australian politician
• Burnie Burns (born 1973), American writer and filmmaker
• Burton Burns (born 1952), American football coach

• Carol Burns (1947–2015), Australian actor
• Carol J. Burns, American chemist
• Carolyn Burns (born 1942), New Zealand ecologist
• Casey Burns (born 1975), American illustrator
• Catherine Burns (1945–2019), American actress
• Catherine Lloyd Burns (born 1961), American actress and writer
• C. B. Burns (1879–1968), American baseball player
• C. Delisle Burns (1879–1942), English writer
• Cha Burns (1957–2007), Scottish guitarist
• Charles Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Chris Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Christian Burns (born 1974), British musician
• Christian Burns (basketball) (born 1985), Italian-American basketball player
• Christine Burns (born 1954), British political activist
• Clarence H. Burns (1918–2003), American politician
• Clinton Sumner Burns (1871–1924), American civil engineer
• Colin Burns (born 1982), American soccer player
• Conrad Burns (1935–2016), American politician
• Cory Burns (born 1987), American baseball player
• Creighton Burns (1925–2008), Australian journalist
• Curry Burns (born 1981), American football player

• Dan Burns (born 1988), American lacrosse player
• Darin Burns (born 1964), Canadian football player
• Darren Burns (rugby league) (born 1974), Australian rugby league footballer
• Dave Burns (football manager), Dutch-British football coach
• Dave Burns (sportscaster) (born 1963), American sportscaster
• David Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Dawson Burns (1828–1909), English minister
• DeChon Burns (born 1970), American football coach
• Declan Burns (born 1956), Irish canoeist
• Denis Burns (born 1952), Irish hurling manager
• Dennis Burns (1898–1968), American baseball player
• Deondre Burns (born 1997), American basketball player
• DeWayne Burns (born 1972), American politician
• Diann Burns (born 1958), American news anchor
• Dick Burns (1863–1937), American baseball player
• D. J. Burns (born 2000), American basketball player
• Dominic Burns (born 1983), English film director
• Donald Burns (1921–1987), New Zealand cricket umpire
• Donnie Burns (born 1959), British dancer
• Draelon Burns (born 1985), American basketball player
• Duncan Burns, British wrestler

• Éamonn Burns (born 1972), Irish Gaelic footballer
• Éamonn Burns (Down Gaelic footballer) (1963–2019), Irish Gaelic footballer and manager
• Ed Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Eddie Burns (1916–2004), Australian rugby league footballer
• Edmund Burns (1892–1980), American actor
• Edward Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Eileen Burns (born 1989), Irish cyclist
• Eleanor Burns (born 1945), American quilter
• Elinor Burns (1887–1978), British suffragist
• Elizabeth Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ellen Bree Burns (1923–2019), American judge
• E. L. M. Burns (1897–1985), Canadian Army officer and diplomat
• Emelia Burns (born 1982), Australian actress
• Emile Burns (1889–1972), British author and economist
• Emmett C. Burns Jr. (1940-2022), American politician
• Eric Burns (born 1945), American media critic
• Erin Burns (born 1988), Australian cricketer
• Eugene Burns (??–1958), American war correspondent
• Eveline M. Burns (1900–1985), British-American economist
• Evers Burns (born 1971), American basketball player

• Farmer Burns (baseball) (1876–??), American baseball player
• F. C. Burns (1890–1915), American football player and businessman
• Findley Burns Jr. (1917–2003), American ambassador
• Frances E. Burns (1866-1937), American social leader and business executive
• Francis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Frank Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Frankie Burns (1889–1961), American boxer
• Fred Burns (tennis) (1889–1971), American tennis player
• Fred Burns (actor) (1878–1955), American actor
• Freddie Burns (born 1990), English rugby union footballer
• Frederick William Burns (1860–1923), American sports announcer

• Gene Burns (1940–2013), American radio host
• George Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Gerald Burns (1940–1997), American poet
• Gerard M. Burns (born 1961), Scottish painter
• Gilbert Burns (born 1986), Brazilian mixed martial artist
• Gilbert Burns (farmer) (1760–1827), Scottish farmer
• Gill Burns (born 1964), English rugby union footballer
• Glenn Burns (born 1952), American meteorologist
• Gordon Burns (born 1942), Northern Irish broadcaster
• Gordon Burns (footballer) (born 1978), Scottish footballer
• Graeme Burns (born 1971), Scottish rugby union footballer and coach
• Graham Burns (born 1966), British canoeist
• Greg Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Gregory Burns (born 1957), American athlete

• Harold Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Harriet Burns (1928–2008), American artist
• Harry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Helen Burns (1916–2018), English actress
• Henry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Herbert Burns (born 1988), Brazilian mixed martial artist
• Howard Burns (born 1939), British professor
• Hugh Burns (disambiguation), multiple people

• Ian Burns (footballer) (1939–2015), Scottish footballer
• Ian Burns (snooker player) (born 1985), English snooker player
• Inez Brown Burns (1886–1976), American socialite
• Irene Burns, American television producer
• Isaac Burns (1869–1946), British trade unionist
• Isabella Burns (1771–1858), Scottish publisher
• Islay Burns (1817–1872), Scottish theologian

• Jabez Burns (1805–1876), English philosopher
• Jack Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jackie Burns (born 1980), American actress
• Jackson Burns (1956–2016), American stunt performer
• Jacob Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jacqueline Burns (born 1997), Northern Irish footballer
• Jaira Burns (born 1997), American singer-songwriter
• Jake Burns (born 1958), Irish musician
• Jake Burns (rugby union) (born 1941), New Zealand rugby union footballer
• James Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jarlath Burns (born 1968), Irish Gaelic footballer
• Jason Burns (American football) (born 1972), American football player
• Jean Burns (1919–2019), Australian aviator
• Jennifer Burns, American politician
• Jerry Burns (1927–2021), American football player and coach
• Jessie Burns, Canadian musician
• J. Frederick Burns, American politician
• J. H. Burns (1921–2012), Scottish historian
• Jim Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• J. Irving Burns (1843–1925), American lawyer and politician
• Jock Burns (1894–1963), Scottish footballer
• Joel Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• John Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Jon G. Burns (born 1952), American politician
• Jordan Burns (born 1997), American basketball player
• Jordyn Burns (born 1992), American ice hockey player
• Joseph Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Josh Burns (born 1978), American mixed martial artist
• Josh Burns (politician) (born 1987), Australian politician
• Joy S. Burns, American corporate executive
• J. Stewart Burns (born 1969), American television writer

• Karen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Karl Burns (born 1958), British musician
• Karla Burns (1954–2021), American soprano
• Kat Burns, Canadian musician
• Kay Burns, Canadian artist
• Keith Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Kennedy Francis Burns (1842–1895), Canadian businessman and politician
• Kenneth Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Kevin Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Kida Burns (born 2002), American hip-hop dancer
• Kieran Burns (born 1992), Scottish footballer
• Killian Burns (born 1975), Irish Gaelic footballer
• Kit Burns (1831–1870), American sportsman
• Kodi Burns (born 1988), American football coach
• Krysta Burns (born 1996), Canadian curler

• Lamont Burns (born 1974), American former footballer
• Larry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Laura Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Lauren Burns (born 1974), Australian taekwondo practitioner
• Lauri Burns, American writer and philanthropist
• Lawton Burns (born 1951), American business theorist
• Lenny Burns, British singer
• Leon Burns (1942–1984), American professional footballer
• Leopoldina Burns (1855–1942), American missionary
• Les Burns (1920–2015), Australian rules footballer
• Liam Burns (born 1978), Northern Irish footballer
• Liam Burns (NUS president) (born 1984), British union leader
• Lilly Burns, American television producer
• Lindsay Burns (born 1965), American rower
• Lindy Burns, Australian radio presenter
• Lizzie Burns (1827–1878), Irish political figure
• Lloyd Burns (born 1984), Welsh rugby union footballer
• Loree Griffin Burns, American author
• Louis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Louisa Burns (1869–1958), American physician
• Louise Burns (born 1985), Canadian singer-songwriter
• Lucy Burns (1879–1966), American suffragist
• Luke F. Burns (1881–1956), American lawyer and politician

• Malcolm Burns (1910–1986), New Zealand agriculturalist
• M. Anthony Burns (born 1942), American businessman
• Marc Burns (born 1983), Trinidadian athlete
• Margaret Burns (1769–1792), Scottish prostitute
• Marge Burns (1925–2009), American professional golfer
• Margo Burns, American historian
• Marilyn Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Marion Burns (1907–1993), American actress
• Marjorie Burns (born 1940), English literary scholar
• Mark Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Marsha Burns (born 1945), American photographer
• Martha Burns (born 1957), Canadian actress
• Martin Burns (1861–1937), American wrestler
• Marvin Burns (1928–1990), American water polo player
• Mary Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Matthew James Burns (born 1985), Scottish record producer
• Max Burns (born 1948), American politician
• Megan Burns (born 1986), English musician and actor
• Michael Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• M. Michele Burns (born 1958), American businesswoman
• Morgan Burns (born 1993), American football player
• M. W. Burns (born 1958), American sound artist

• Nathan Burns (born 1988), Australian footballer
• Neal Burns (1892–1969), American actor
• Neil Burns (born 1965), English cricketer
• Neil Burns (footballer) (born 1945), Scottish footballer
• Nellie Marie Burns (1850–1897), American actor and poet
• Nica Burns (born 1954), British theatre producer
• Nicholas Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Norm Burns (1918–1995), Canadian ice hockey player

• Olive Ann Burns (1924–1990), American writer
• Otto L. Burns (1868–1941), American politician
• Otway Burns (1775–1850), American privateer
• Owen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Oyster Burns (1864–1928), American baseball player

• Paddy Burns (1881–1943), New Zealand rugby union footballer
• Patrick Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Patti Burns (1952–2001), American journalist
• Paul Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Pauline Powell Burns (1872–1912), American pianist and artist
• Pete Burns (1959–2016), English musician
• Peter Burns (disambiguation), multiple people

• Ralph Burns (1922–2001), American pianist
• Randal Burns, American computer scientist
• Randy Burns (born 1948), American singer-songwriter
• Raymond Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Rebecca Burns, American journalist
• Red Burns (1925–2013), Canadian-American academic
• Regan Burns (born 1968), American actor
• Rex Burns (born 1935), American author
• Ric Burns (born 1955), American documentary filmmaker and writer
• Rick Burns, Canadian politician
• Richard Burns (1971–2005), English rally driver
• Ricky Burns (born 1983), Scottish boxer
• R. Nicholas Burns (born 1956), American politician
• Rob Burns (born 1953), New Zealand bass player
• Robert Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ronald Burns (athlete) (1903–1985), Indian sprinter
• Ronnie Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Rory Burns (born 1990), English cricketer
• Roy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Ryan Burns (born 1992), Northern Irish footballer

• Sam Burns (born 1996), American golfer
• Samuel Burns (born 1982), American rower
• Sarah Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Scott Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Sean Burns (footballer) (born 1991), Scottish footballer
• Shernyl Burns (born 1991), West Indian cricketer
• Sheryl Burns, New Zealand netball player
• Silas Reese Burns (1855–1940), American architect
• Síle Burns (born 1985), Irish camogie player
• Simon Burns (born 1952), British politician
• Stephan W. Burns (1954–1990), American actor
• Stephanie Burns (born 1955), American chemist
• Stephen Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Steve Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Stewart Burns (born 1899), Scottish golfer
• Sylvia Burns (born 1955), South African lawn bowler

• Tanner Burns (born 1998), American baseball player
• Tara Burns (fl. 1990s–2020s), Irish judge
• Ted Burns (1889–1972), Australian rules footballer
• Terry Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Thea Burns, American art conservator
• Theobald M. Burns (1862–1926), Canadian merchant and politician
• Thomas Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Tim Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Tito Burns (1921–2010), British musician
• Todd Burns (born 1963), American baseball player
• Tommy Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Tony Burns (born 1944), English footballer
• Tosher Burns (1902–1984), Irish footballer
• T. P. Burns (1924–2018), Irish jockey
• Travis Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Trevor Burns (born 2001), American soccer player

• Ursula Burns (born 1958), American businesswoman

• Veronica Burns (1914–1998), Irish museum curator
• Vincent Burns (1981–2024), American football player

• Waller Thomas Burns (1858–1917), American judge
• Walter Noble Burns (1866–1932), American author
• Wes Burns (born 1994), Welsh footballer
• W. Haydon Burns (1912–1987), American politician
• W. Haywood Burns (1940–1996), American lawyer and activist
• Wilfred Burns (born 1990), British composer
• Wilfred Burns (town planner) (1923–1984), British town planner
• William Burns (disambiguation), multiple people
• Willie Burns (1916–1966), American baseball player
• Willis B. Burns (1851–1915), American businessman and politician

• Zachary Burns (born 1996), American rower

• Mr. Burns, a character in the television series The Simpsons
• Eunice Burns, a character in the film What's Up, Doc?
• Sir Isambard Burns, a character in Raymond Postgate's novel Verdict of Twelve

• Berns (surname), a page with people with the given surname "Berns"
• Governor Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Governors surnamed "Burns"
• Lord Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Lords surnamed "Burns"
• Senator Burns (disambiguation), a disambiguation page with Senators surnamed "Burns"

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Burns.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.