Burrowses
Although the Burrowses (as it is correctly pluralised) is considered one of the most significant and influential families in the Shire, it differs from many others in that this particular family is not concentrated to a single village, region or farthing of the Shire. Instead, great numbers of them can be found throughout the land, in almost every village and township. This is what makes the Burrowses such a notable family; rather than possessing great wealth or lands, they are instead famed for populating themselves throughout the Shire over the years. In doing so, every hobbit will know of a local Burrows.
The family takes its namesake from their ancestors’ skill at burrowing holes throughout the Shire. As smials are seldom excavated in modern times, their name today merely honours the proficiency of their forefathers in that once sought-after craft. Their outspread throughout the Shire might have come as a result of this, as their ancestors would have been welcome almost anywhere due to their ingenuity. It may be that they decided to stay in the area that they once worked in. Burrowses have become well-known for producing notable auctioneers in more recent times.
