Surname Bonner - Meaning and Origin

Rewriting Ancestry: Diving into my Bonner DNA with iGENEA

Unraveling the unexpected and diverse European roots of the Bonner lineage, the iGENEA DNA test reshaped my understanding of ancestry, imparting a sense of nomadic heritage, and a wider cultural identity.

H. Bonner

Bonner: What does the surname Bonner mean?

The last name Bonner is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily associated with regions in England and Ireland before spreading to other parts of the world through migration. The most common interpretation of the surname Bonner is "one who comes from Bonn," relating to the city in Germany, suggesting a geographical origin.

However, Bonner also has occupational roots. In Old French, the term "bonnaire" refers to a courteous or good-natured individual, and this word also influenced the notion of a "bonerer," a person who removes bones from fish or meat. Therefore, the surname could have been adopted by someone known for his good manners or professional role in the community.

It's also plausible that Bonner developed from an alteration of the surname "Bonar," which is connected to Scottish heritage, again suggesting a geographical aspect to its meaning.

Thus, like any surname, the precise meaning of Bonner depends on the specific ancestral line of the person in question, their geographical ancestry, as well as the professional or personal characteristics of that lineage.

Bonner: Where does the name Bonner come from?

The surname Bonner is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the personal name "Bonna", an Old French and Middle English personal name rarely found before the Norman Invasion in 1066. It may also be a derived occupational name for a maker or seller of buns, originating from the Middle English word "bun".

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ranulphus Boner, which was dated 1187, in the "Pipe Rolls of Sussex". The surname was documented in the New World from the early 17th century, with immigrants found in Virginia as early as 1635. Some important figures with this last name include USA politician Sonny Bonner, Australian former professional rugby league footballer Matthew Bonner, and American professional basketball player Matt Bonner.

Today, Bonner is a common surname is various parts of the world. Concentrations can be found in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Similarly, according to Forebears, it’s most common in the United States ranking 1,534th, followed by England where it ranks 1,526th.

Variations of the surname Bonner

The surname Bonner has its roots in several different cultures. As a result, there are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Boner, Bonnar, Bonnaire, Bonenfant, Böhner, Böner, Bohner, Buhner, Boerner, Bourner, and Börner.

Some of these variations are due to geographical differences, whilst others are due to changes over time. For example, the German version of the name often comes with an umlaut (like Böhner or Böner), while the French version sometimes has an additional syllable (like Bonnaire).

Many of these variants also have different meanings based on the language of origin. For example, in French, Bonnaire can mean "good air" while in German, Böhner can mean "bean grower".

The Bonner surname might also branch out in different spelling variants like Bonar, Bonnard, or Bonnair according to how individuals decided to spell their name over the centuries or how clerks transcribed the name in records.

All these versions of the surname Bonner, despite their differences in spelling and meaning, share common ancestry and heritage. By tracing these variations, one can explore the wide array of individuals and families that share a connection to this unique surname.

Famous people with the name Bonner

• Matt Bonner: He is a retired professional basketball player who played in NBA for teams like the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs.
• Erin Bonner: Prominent in the finance industry, Erin Bonner is an Executive Director of JMP Securities.
• Kerry Bonner: A Zimbabwean cricket player who has represented his country at the international level.
• Justin Bonner: Popular figure in the Information Technology sector, currently holding an executive position at Sitecore.
• Richard (Rick) Bonner: A legend of the music industry known for his band The Moody Blues.
• Robert Bonner: A historian and a Dartmouth College professor, known specifically for his work on American slavery and the Civil War.
• Graham Bonner: A renowned author of children's books.
• Patrick Bonner: An Irish goalkeeper, notable for his long career with Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland national team.
• David Bonner: Noted scientist and winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• Marcy Bonner: A famous art director and designer, with her work appearing in major films and television shows.
• Neville Bonner: An Australian politician, who was the first Indigenous Australian to become a member of the Parliament of Australia.
• Christy Bonner: An Irish footballer, who has played for teams like Hibernian and Chelsea.

Other surnames

BonneBonneckBonneckeBönneckenBonnekBonnekampBönnekenBonnelBonnellBonnellBonnemannBönnemannBonnemeierBonnemeyerBonnenBönnenBonnermannBonnersBönnersBonnertBonnetBonnettBonnette