The family name "Burmester" comes from the German word "Burgmeester" (Burgemeester) - since the family came from the small town of Moelln in northern Germany. In 1730 Henry Burmester and John Nash founded a grain trade in London under the name Burmester & Nash. In 1750, the company moved to Vila Nova de Gaia and began shipping Port to the British Isles and the rest of Europe. The company was very active in London. The commercial and financial activities of the Burmester family were highly appreciated in London. The most famous street in the Wimbledon district is the 'Burmester Road'.
