Surname Bone - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Celtic Roots: iGENEA DNA Analysis and the History of the Surname 'Bone'

I chose iGENEA for my pursuit into the mysteries of my family name - 'Bone'. Testing with this professionally adept and expert service led me to discoveries about my Celtic roots and rich historical lineage. Beyond just names, I connected with my ancestors' achievements and struggles through this powerful experience.

C. Bone

Bone: What does the surname Bone mean?

The surname Bone is of English origin and is derived from the Old French personal name "Bon," which means "good." It was often used as a nickname for a person with a good or friendly nature. The name Bone may have also been used to signify a person who lived near a particular building or landmark, such as a bone house (a charnel house). Surnames of this type were typically based on easily recognizable features of the landscape or on local residents and were used to identify people at a time when few people had fixed, hereditary surnames. Besides, spellings of the same surname have varied significantly over the centuries based on factors such as regional dialects, varying levels of literacy, and personal preference. Therefore, the Bone surname has several alternative forms, including Bon, Boon, Boone, and others. Today, individuals with the Bone surname can be found in many parts of the world, although it remains most common in English-speaking countries.

Bone: Where does the name Bone come from?

The surname Bone is of Anglo-Saxon origin, tracing back to pre 7th century England. The name is classified as locational or occupational. As a locational surname, it is derived from the Old English 'ban', meaning a beacon or a signpost, frequently linked with hilltops thus used for individuals living near such landmarks. The occupational meaning comes from 'bana', a term referring to a slayer or murderer - likely a nickname or title given to an executioner.

Modernly, the surname Bone is common and widespread throughout English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and England. Notably, the 1881 census reports that the widest concentration of people named Bone resided in Sussex, England. This popularity extended into the twentieth century with a recorded global population of nearly 32,000 Bones in 2014, one third of which resided in the United States. Despite its widespread usage, Bone still ranks as a comparatively uncommon surname worldwide.

Variations of the surname Bone

The surname Bone primarily originates from England and Scotland. It's assumed to derive from the Old English words "buan" or "bona," which mean "to dwell" or "a good person," respectively. Variants and misinterpretations of Bone can include Boone, Boon, Bohun, Bohn, Bon, Boen, and Bowne.

In Scotland, the surname Bone could have been an anglicised form of the Gaelic MacBain, which has origins in the patronymic naming tradition and means "son of the fair lad." Variant spellings in Scotland could include Bain, Baine, Baines, Bayne, and Baynes.

The Bone surname might also indicate French roots, as it's similar to the French word "bon," meaning good. Also, a prominent Norman family named de Bohun immigrated to England in the 11th century, which might have led to localised English variants of the surname. Some families with this surname chose to anglicise it into Bohon, Bohan, or Baynham to blend in more readily with English-speaking neighbours. There are even instances where it has been integrated into other names, giving rise to surnames like Boneyman or Bonnett.

Surnames carry the interesting history of families, migration, and language development, and indeed, Bone is no exception.

Famous people with the name Bone

• Stephen Bone: War Artist
• Ray Bone: Football pro and coach
• Joe Bone: Baseball player
• Clyde Bone: Actor
• Millicent Bone: Actress
• Charlie Bone: Actress
• Jill Bone: Singer
• Ishmael Bone: Reggae Singer
• Francis Bone: Artist
• Matthew Bone: Actor
• Darryl Bone: Singer and Songwriter
• Ruben Bone: Musician
• Terrell Bone: Singer
• Chris Bone: Drummer
• Michael Bone: Football Player
• Marion Bone: Opera Singer
• Robert Bone: Musician
• Doris Bone: Actress
• Nathan Bone: Actor
• John Bone: Saxophone Player

Other surnames

BonackerBonakerBonarBonardBonardelBonauerBonaventuraBonckBönckeBondBondarBondarchukBondarcukBondarenkoBondarevBondartschukBondeBondiBondiekBondjeBondsBonduranBondurandBonDurantBondyBoneckBoneckeBönecke