Surname Bonnell - Meaning and Origin
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Bonnell: What does the surname Bonnell mean?
The surname Bonnell is of French origin, stemming from the French term ‘bon’, meaning ‘good’, and ‘el’, which is a diminutive suffix. Thus, the name carries connotations of being 'good' or 'fair'. The name was often used as a nickname or occupational name for a good worker or perhaps specifically a keeper of cattle. The name is prevalent in France but following significant waves of French immigration, particularly around the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, it can now be found in various countries across the world. Variations of the spelling include Bonelle, Bunnell, Bunel, Bunelle and several others. Like many surnames, the exact meaning can be hard to pin down due to its evolution over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBonnell: Where does the name Bonnell come from?
The surname Bonnell is of French origin, derived from the Old French term 'bon' meaning 'good' and 'el' standing for 'lakes'. It was usually given as a nickname to a person who lived near a beautiful lake. Bonnell is a variant spelling of the original surname 'Bonel' and it has evolved into different forms such as Bonell, Bonelle, and Bonelli. The surname spread across Europe during the Middle Ages due to migration and nobility marriages.
Today, this surname is most common in the United States, particularly in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. It can also be found in English-speaking countries like England and Australia. Despite its French origins, the surname is not predominantly present in France or other French-speaking countries, indicating a significant migration from France during past centuries. As of now, many people with the surname Bonnell may not necessarily have French roots due to the intermixing and migration of cultures throughout history.
Variations of the surname Bonnell
The surname Bonnell has a number of alternative spellings and variants, largely due to regional accents and the challenges of phonetic transcription over time. Some of these include: Bonell, Bonnelle, Bonnall, Bonneal, Bonnell, Bonneville, Bonnel, Bonellie, Bonnelie, Boneli, and Bunnell.
This surname is believed to be of French origin, deriving from the Old French "bonne" (good) and "ville" (settlement). This could have been a nickname for someone from a 'good town' or applied to a person considered good and useful to the community. Variations therefore could also take the form of 'ville' or 'belle' based surnames, like Bonville or Bonbelle.
The surname could even extend to other 'Bon-' prefixed surnames like Bonnet, Bonnin, Bonet, or Bonne, although these names may have different origins.
As with many surnames, regional differences and migrations over centuries have created a wealth of variations. The influence of other languages, like Germanic, Spanish, or Italian, could also have created additional variants. Therefore, identifying all possible spellings or variations is a complex task.
Famous people with the name Bonnell
- Steven Bonnell: More commonly known under his online alias, Destiny, Steven Bonnell is a popular American Twitch streamer and YouTube personality. He gained prominence for his livestreams of video game playthroughs, particularly of the game StarCraft.
- Scott Bonnell: An American auto dealer and philanthropist who founded the charity Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit that helps children with life-threatening illnesses.
- Virginia True Boardman Bonnell: American silent-film actress, the mother to actor True Boardman and grandmother to actress Lisa Bonnell.
- Francis Bonnell: A well-known historical figure who was a major in the Confederate army during the Civil War.
- Marie Louise Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun (née Bonnell): A famous 18th century French artist known for her portraiture.
- Robert Bonnell: A Canadian politician and member of the New Brunswick legislative assembly.
- Thayer Sarrano (née Bonnell): A celebrated American musician, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, best known for her style that blends Southern Gothic rock and shoegaze. These individuals, while sharing the last name Bonnell, have gained recognition in diverse fields and occupations, ranging from gaming and acting to politics and philanthropy.