Burgher

Burgher \BUR-ger\ , noun;
1. An inhabitant of a town, especially a member of the middle class; citizen

This word dates to the 1560's as "freeman of a burgh" from Middle Dutch burgher, which derives from Middle High German burger. Burger comes from Old High German burgari ("inhabitant of a fortress"), which is based on burg ("fortress"). Burg comes from Proto-Germanic *burgs ("hill fort, fortress") which is also the forebear of borough.