Surname Bonham - Meaning and Origin
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Bonham: What does the surname Bonham mean?
The last name Bonham is an English surname that originated in the French region of Normandy. Its original form was Beaumont, derived from the Old French “beau” meaning “beautiful” and “mont” meaning “hill”. The name was first found in England in the 11th century and is believed to have been given to those who originally lived near or on a beautiful hill.
The Bonham family held a number of manors in the counties of Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire, and were recognized as baronets in the mid-17th century, according to the Baronetage of England.
The Bonham name has also become prominent in the United States. Many Bonhams settled in the South, in what was then the colony of Virginia and North Carolina. The first Bonham to arrive in the US is believed to have been William Bonham, along with his brother, Charles, who arrived from England in the mid-1600s and settled in Maryland.
The surname is thought to denote affluence, courage and calibre. As a result, the name has been adopted by a number of prominent families in the US, including the Bonhams of Virginia, the Bonhams of Arkansas, and the Bonhams of Tennessee, as well as the families of prominent figures throughout history such as Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry and President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter, Lady Bird Johnson.
In summary, the surname Bonham has a rich and noble history dating back centuries, and has been passed down through several generations. It is associated with noble qualities and has been the last name of many prominent figures throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisBonham: Where does the name Bonham come from?
The last name Bonham is most commonly found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is believed to have originated in England and Scotland. In England, the majority of the Bonham family can be found in London and its surrounding counties in the southeastern part of the country.
The name is particularly frequent in the United States, where it ranks as the 1,152nd most common surname. The highest concentrations occur in Georgia and South Carolina, but Bonhams can also be found in all other states in a relatively even distribution.
In Canada, the highest density of Bonhams can be found in British Columbia and Ontario. It appears more prominently in the eastern regions of the country.
Australia and New Zealand also have large populations of people named Bonham, with a majority living in larger cities and the eastern regions of each country.
Overall, the last name Bonham is a common name today, especially in English speaking countries. It has spread from its original homeland in the United Kingdom and now can be found in many places around the world.
Variations of the surname Bonham
Bonham is an English surname of Norman origin. Its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Bo(e)nham, Bunham, Boneham, Bonam, Bonahm, Bohm, Boham, Bohnam, Bonum and Benham.
Boehnham, Beynham, Bohnhenm, Bohnam, Bunhan, Bomham, Bo(e)n(h)am, Bohnham and Bunnam have also been found to be used occasionally in some countries. The name also has recorded spelling variations in the forms of Banham, Benham, Boham, Bonam and Bonnie. Bonham has an Anglo-Irish variant in the spelling of Bunnam, locally pronounced Bunam.
The earliest known mention of the Bonham name is from Cumbria, England in the twelfth century, when Hugo De Bonneham mentioned as a landholder in the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland.
Bonhams are known to have been living in Ireland since the sixteenth century, especially in County Cork and County Armagh. Hugh Bonham was one of the "Undertakers", or lead settlers of the Plantation of Ulster.
Today,the surname is quite widespread. The two thousand most common surnames in England are both Bonham and Benham. Bonham is also one of the fifty most common surnames in the United States.
Famous people with the name Bonham
- John Bonham: English drummer and songwriter best known for his work with the British band Led Zeppelin
- Tracy Bonham: American alternative rock singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- Stephen Bonham: British actor and musician
- Jason Bonham: English rock drummer and son of John Bonham
- Henry Bonham: English actor
- Eric Bonham: English actor
- Martin Bonham: British television actor
- Branden Bonham: American actor
- Lucinda Bonham: Canadian actor
- Ann Bonham: English actress