Surname Bonnet - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Threads of Identity: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Testing and the Bonnet lineage

My journey into discovering my family's past, particularly through the esteemed lens of iGENEA DNA testing, has undeniably altered my perspective on my personal and family identity. The revelations about my genetic makeup, combined with the unexpected origins and migrations of the Bonnet lineage, incites a newfound sense of understanding and connectivity to my past and present identity.

C. Bonnet

Bonnet: What does the surname Bonnet mean?

The last name Bonnet is of French origin and it translates to "hat" in English. This surname was often given as a nickname to hat makers, or to those who wore distinctive hats. During the Middle Ages, hats were more than just a fashion statement—they could denote a person's profession, social status, or even their town of origin. Therefore, a unique or remarkable hat could have led to acquiring the last name Bonnet. Additionally, the surname may have originated from the medieval personal name, Bonnet, derived from the Latin name, Bonitus. As a surname, Bonnet is common in France and is also found in other countries influenced by French culture or language. It's important to note that the meaning can vary slightly depending on regional variations or derivations.

Bonnet: Where does the name Bonnet come from?

The surname Bonnet originated in France, derived from the Old French word 'bonet', which means 'hat' and was given as a nickname to hat makers or hat sellers during the Middle Ages. Some variations of the surname include Bonet, Bonnete, Bonnette, Bonnot, and Bonnard. In French, 'bonnet' means 'cap'.

Today, the surname Bonnet is common in various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora but it is especially prevalent in France, as its place of origin. It is also fairly common in Switzerland and to some extent in other Francophone countries like Belgium and Canada. Outside of Francophone regions, the name has also spread due to historically French influence places like Scotland and the United States.

It's important to note that Bonnet also exists in other countries due to the homonymy with words in other languages, like the English 'bonnet' (referring to a type of headgear or a car part) or the Spanish 'bonnet', corresponding to a type of caps used in the Middle Ages, which, as in the French case, could have derived as nicknames for hat makers or sellers.

Variations of the surname Bonnet

The surname Bonnet has several variants and spellings including Bonnett, Bonnete, Bonnette, Bonnay, Bonney, Bonnelli, Bonnand, Bonatelli, Bonadan, Bonantoni, Bonnard, and Bonner.

The name Bonnet is aristocratic in origin and comes from the Old French word "bonnet," referring to a type of cap or hat which was mainly worn by the nobility during the middle ages. The surname could have been a metonymic occupational name for a maker or seller of such hats, or a nickname for someone who wore a distinctive hat.

The Bonnet name is common in several European countries like France, Switzerland, and Scotland. In Scotland, its variant Bonnett is specifically utilized. The Italian variations of the name typically have an "i" at the end, like Bonnetti.

In terms of surnames of the same origin, for instance, relating to hat manufacturers or wearers, one may consider Chaput, derived from the French 'chapeau' meaning hat, or Cappeller, an occupational name for a maker of hats or caps.

As a final note, the surname Bonnet has been adopted by immigrants upon their arrival to another country where their original surname was complex or hard to pronounce. Hence, ascribing a single point of origin could be complex.

Famous people with the name Bonnet

• Robert de Bonnay: A renowned French actor.
• Marc Bonnet: A well-known French race car driver.
• Richard Bonnét: A renowned Norwegian filmmaker and author.
• Pierre Bonnet: A French botanist.
• Bobby Bonnet: A celebrated American football player.
• Charles Bonnet: An eminent Swiss naturalist and philosopher.
• Marcel Bonnet: A French politician.
• Alliance Bonnet: A Haitian footballer.
• Fanny Sidney Bonnet: A French actress and model.
• Hélène Bonnet: Swiss hockey player.
• Claude Bonnet: A French professional footballer.
• Édouard Bonnefous: A prominent French politician.
• Françoise Bonnet: An experienced French economist.
• Rosine Bonneau: Famous French cook.
• Raymond Bonnet: A French Professor and Egyptologist.
• Mathieu Bonnet: A French professional footballer.
• Amélie Bonnet: A celebrated French actress.
• Émile Bonnet: An eminent French linguist.
• Pierre Bonnet: A brilliant French physicist.
• Guy Bonnet: A French singer and songwriter.
• Nicolas Bonnet Oulaldj: A French politician.

Other surnames

BonneBonneckBonneckeBönneckenBonnekBonnekampBönnekenBonnelBonnellBonnellBonnemannBönnemannBonnemeierBonnemeyerBonnenBönnenBonnerBönnerBonnermannBonnersBönnersBonnertBonnettBonnette