The Burgar/Burgess families in Shetland

Click  Arrow on browser to return back to previous page                                                     to bottom of page

Magnus Burgar in Fetlar

The earliest Burgar persons that we have found in Shetlands are Magnus Burgar (born about 1550) and living in Fetlar and  James Burgar (also born about 1550) and living in Yell.

Magnus  Burgar appears in  "Shetland Documents 1195 - 1579", a Printed book held at Shetland Record Office. ⁵³  In summary it has that

Magnus Burgar was an inhabitant of Fetlar in 1575.

There is a further reference to Magnus  Burgar in  "Shetland Documents 1580-1611", a Printed book held at Shetland Record Office.⁶⁶     In summary it states

Mawnis Burgar  was a witness in 1581 in Parish of Burgh in Nesting in 1581.

Details of this case can be found in the records of the Lerwick Sheriff Court - Miscellaneous Documents - SC 12/65 series ⁶⁵ 

See Magnus Burgar Court Case 1

Magnus appears in a similar case in 1582

See Magnus Burgar Court Case 2

There is a possibility that Magnus Burgar may be related to James Burgar of Colvasetter, Yell, since they may be the same age.   It is not known whether either James or Magnus had Burgar Descendants.

See details of James Burgar 

to top of page