Surname Bonners - Meaning and Origin
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Bonners: What does the surname Bonners mean?
The surname Bonners is of English origin and derived from the Middle English term "bonar," which was used to describe someone who was polite and friendly. Historically, the surname was adopted as a hereditary name recognizing the qualities associated with the word. As a surname, Bonners is believed to have originated in the county of Oxfordshire, England, and is still primarily found in the United Kingdom.
The Bonners surname is associated with various sources. According to some sources, the name derives from the term "bonar," meaning a corn miller or milling hand; another source claims that the surname is a variant of the Old German name "Bunner," which could be a nickname for a brown-haired person; finally, the surname may have originated with the trade of shoemakers.
In the UK, the surname is most prevalent in Oxfordshire and London. The Bonners are said to have arrived in Oxfordshire in the 13th century, with more records showing up in the 18th century. The Bonners family name has been around for 800 years and still exists today.
Overall, the last name Bonners is of English origin, derived from the Middle English term "bonar," which was used to describe someone who was polite and friendly. The surname has various potential sources, either as a corn miller, shoemaker, or in reference to hair colour. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most prevalent in Oxfordshire and London, having been around for 800 years.
Order DNA origin analysisBonners: Where does the name Bonners come from?
The last name Bonners is quite common in both the United States and in Canada. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the south-further states such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, although it can also be found in other parts of the country. In Canada, the last name is mostly found in Ontario, but can also be found in other, more sparsely populated provinces.
In terms of population, the last name Bonners is most commonly found in areas with a high percentage of people who are of African-American or mixed-race origin, mostly along the Gulf Coast and through the southern states. Other countries, particularly western Europe and South American countries, also have small populations of Bonners, likely descendants of immigrants.
In terms of geographic dispersal overall, there are more Bonners in the United States than in Canada, but they are both found in similar proportions. The prevalence of the name suggests a common origin, likely shared by people of African descent in the Americas. This is especially true for people in the southern United States, for whom the surname is likely a direct descendant of slaves brought to the country during the colonial era.
Variations of the surname Bonners
The surname Bonners is derived from the geographical place name Bonehurst, which was located in West Sussex, England. Variations of this name typically include Boner, Bonar, Bonar, Bonnor, Bunnar, Bonor, Bonnar, Bunner, Buners and Bunor, as well as spelling equivalents to the given names Bone and Boniface.
Surnames that are related to Bonners include Dunn, Donner, and Donar. This ancestral link is a result of the fact that Bonners is associated with place names of Celtic origin. For example, in Scotland, certain spellings of surnames beginning with 'Dun'—such as Dunn, Dunne, Duner and Dunor—are derived from the Gaelic 'dun or dùn' which referred to a fort or hill. Even though each of these variants may not directly connect to Bonners, over time the naming conventions morphed these variants together resulting in some being more closely associated than others.
Other surnames of Celtic connection that are related to Bonners include Bonnett, Bunce, Duncklee, Dunklee, Dunkle, Dunkley, Dunkly, Bunning, Bunyan, Bunnill, Bunney, Bunnett, and Bunns. These surnames were common in England and Scotland, especially in the mid to late 19th century. Given current migration patterns, these surname variants are now scattered all over the world.
Overall, the surname Bonners is derived from the geographical place name Bonehurst, and its variants and ancestral connections can be found throughout Europe and around the world. The Celtic connection of surnames such as Dunn, Donner, Donar, Bonnett, Bunce, Duncklee, Dunklee, Dunkle, Dunkley, Dunkly, Bunning, Bunyan, Bunnill, Bunney, Bunnett, and Bunns trace the origins of Bonners to the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Bonners
- Douglas Bonner: Former American professional football player
- Norman Bonner: American professional basketball player
- Francis Bonner: English cricketer
- Steve Bonner: Former Canadian football player
- Cyril Bonner: renowned bagpiper and teacher
- Chris Bonner: English professional wrestler
- Richard Bonner: American architect
- Maureen Bonner: Australian-born organizational theorist
- Qaasim Bonner: American musician
- Yvette Bonner: Barbadian attorney and Magistrate
- Patton Bonner: American rapper, actor, and singer
- Elisa Bonner: Irish actress
- Albie Bonner: American basketball player
- Billie Bonner: American music producer
- Liandra Bonner:Reality television nightclub doorman
- Joey Bonner: American jazz drummer
- D’wayne Bonner: American football cornerback
- Margarita Bonner: Russian/American author
- Tommy Bonner: Early 1950s English football goalkeeper
- Tony Bonner: Australian actor