Surname Bonsack - Meaning and Origin
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Bonsack: What does the surname Bonsack mean?
The last name Bonsack is of German origin and it means “good sack.” It can be traced back to a family of merchants who were likely involved in the transportation of goods. This type of surname was often given to those who carried goods in the form of sacks. It can also refer to someone who manufactured sacks for sale. The family likely moved to Germany around the 1700s and eventually spread to the United States in the mid-1800s due to wars and economic downturns in Europe.
Bonsack is a relatively uncommon name and can also be spelled Bonzak, Bonsac, or Bonesack. It is likely that the spelling varied as the family moved throughout Europe. The Bonsack family has a rich history of involvement in the trade industry. They are known for their philanthropy, business savvy, and entrepreneurial spirit, which enabled many of them to thrive during a tumultuous period of European history.
Today, the Bonsack family is spread all around the world. From their original headquarters in Germany, they now have branches in the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. Despite the difficulties they have faced, many members of the Bonsack family have achieved great success and continue to inspire others to strive for excellence.
Order DNA origin analysisBonsack: Where does the name Bonsack come from?
The last name Bonsack is a Swiss family name, which is still commonly found in Switzerland today. It is thought to originate from the Old High German or Old Swiss German term ‘buen’ or ‘buon’ meaning ‘a good one’, and was used to indicate people of superior quality. In the Middle Ages, wealthy families in Switzerland adopted the custom of adding a surname to their personal name, and Bonsack is likely to have been one of these chosen names.
The name is also widely found in South Africa, where it was introduced by Swiss-German settlers. It is thought that the first of these settlers arrived from Switzerland in the 18th century, escaping religious persecution. The Bonsack families were mainly Lutheran, and settled in parts of the Cape and Natal provinces.
In the United States, the surname has maintained its geographic association with Swiss communities. According to the 1990 United States Census, the name Bonsack was most commonly found in Ohio (0.0017% of the U.S. population), where many Swiss immigrants had settled during the 19th century.
The name Bonsack can also be found in other countries across Europe and the Americas, suggesting that its association with Switzerland has been a long-standing one. As a result of Swiss migration, it is now found in France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Australia, and even Argentina and other parts of South America.
Today, there are over 1,000 people living in Switzerland with the family name Bonsack, making it one of the most common Swiss surnames.
Variations of the surname Bonsack
The surname Bonsack is a German surname which is derived from the Middle High German word ‘bonsce’ meaning ‘little hut’. It is most common in the Riesbach, Switzerland as well as in other parts of Switzerland, Germany, France, and the United States of America.
Common variants of the surname Bonsack include von Bonsack, Bunsack, Bunzack, Bunzackt, Bunzack, Bonnack, Bonatz, von Bonatz, Bohnatz, Bohnsack, Bonsackt, Bonsack, Bonsackes, Bonsach, Bonsak, Bonzack, Bonsat, Bonschack, Bonschen, Bonschot, Bonshott, Baunaz, Baunsack, Baunzack, Baunzak, Bunzach, Bunzackes, Bunzak, Bunnzak, Bunsacht, Bunsakh, Bunschack, Bunschak, Bunschot, Bunshott, and Bonczak.
There are many variations of the spelling of this surname across different countries and cultures; some examples of this include Bonsack, Bunzack, and Bohnatz. Additionally, surnames of a similar origin with slight variations in spelling such as Baunaz, Bunzach, and Bonschack are often seen as having the same origin.
In terms of geographical distribution, Bonsacks are most commonly found in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the US. In the US, Bonsacks are most commonly found living in Tennessee, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
Famous people with the name Bonsack
- Jacob Bonsack: Jacob Bonsack was the inventor of the first commercially successful cigarette rolling machine in the United States. He was born in Rockingham County, Virginia in 1835 and died in 1894 in Rockingham, North Carolina.
- F. Paul Bonsack: F. Paul Bonsack was a jazz musician from San Francisco best known for his piano work with bands around the Bay Area including the Hot Biscuits and Chronometrics. He moved to New York City in the early 1970s where he performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
- Tom Bonsack: Tom Bonsack was an American industrialist from Roanoke, Virginia. He owned the Bonsack Realty Corporation in Roanoke and served as a director of the Rockingham National Bank. He had four children and two grandchildren.
- Gordon Bonsack: Gordon Bonsack was an American politician from Virginia who served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1970 to 1974. He was a member of the Republican Party.
- Joe Bonsack: Joe Bonsack was a professional golfer from Norway and one of the early stars of the European Tour. He won four titles on the European Tour including the 1985 Compaq European Grand Prix.
- Ashley Bonsack: Ashley Bonsack is an artist from Virginia who creates detailed drawings that are often described as whimsical and mysterious. Her work can be found in museums and galleries around the world.
- Oscar Bonsack: Oscar Bonsack was a Venezuelan sports journalist. He was a pioneer of the profession and one of the first to report on Olympic sports in the region. He also worked as a commentator for national and international events.