Surname Bontine - Meaning and Origin
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Bontine: What does the surname Bontine mean?
The last name Bontine is thought to be a Scottish name of French descent. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the town of Bontin in France, near the English Channel.
The original form of the name, de Bontin, was likely used by French nobles who migrated to Scotland after the wars in France in the fifteenth century. The 'de' was dropped in Scotland, as was common for those of French descent.
The meaning of the name is not certain, but some believe it to be derived from the Latin bonitas, meaning goodness. This would be a likely interpretation given the family's involvement in the church. It is also possible that the name could have come from the French Bontin meaning good or kind.
The Bontine family has a long history in Scotland. At one time, they were prominent landowners in Scotland, owning many estates throughout the country. They were also powerful figures in politics and made a significant contribution to the development of the Scottish economy.
Today, the Bontine name is highly recognizable, with members of the family living throughout the world. It is a reminder of the rich heritage of the family and their long-standing history in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisBontine: Where does the name Bontine come from?
The last name Bontine is a surname of French origin, and is still primarily found in France today. It is most commonly found in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It is also seen in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the Pays de la Loire region, as well as in northern France, where it is occasionally seen in the Departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais.
Bontine is also found in large numbers in French-speaking countries around the world, particularly in Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland. In the United States, a significant population of individuals with the Bontine surname can be found in Louisiana, due to the Acadian diaspora of French-speakers from Canada to the region. Other American states where the name is found include Massachusetts, Texas, New York, Florida, and Alabama.
Elsewhere, the Bontine surname is occasionally seen in England, Germany, and the Netherlands. People with the surname Bontine can also be found in Uruguay in South America, Haiti in the Caribbean, and various African countries, including Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Guinea, Congo, and Ivory Coast.
Variations of the surname Bontine
The surname Bontine can be spelled in many different ways, including: Bontin, Bontine, Bontyne, Bontine, Bontynee, Bontyney, Bontyne, Bontynie, Bountin, and Bonteyne. Depending on the region, some spellings are more popular than others. The main variants for Bontine are Bontin, Bontynee, and Bountin.
The surname Bontine is believed to have originated from Scotland or Ireland, and appears in both countries with varying spellings. The spelling Bontine is most common in Scotland, while Bontin is most common in Ireland. It is possible that this surname derived either from the English words "bount", meaning reward, or "bont", meaning benevolent or courteous.
The surname Bontine or its variants may also have come from a Northern French or Belgian name, Bonton. This name was sometimes used as a nickname for a cheerful person or one who liked to joke around. It may also be derived from the place-name Bontin, a town in northern France, or Bontein in Belgium.
Variations of the surname Bontine can be found all over the world. In the United States, the spelling Bontyne is more commonly used, while in Canada, the spelling Bonteyne is more popular. Some related surnames include Bonnie, Bonnieux, Bontemps, and Boettner. This surname may also appear as a given name.
Famous people with the name Bontine
- Manfred Bontine Cullum, 3rd Baronet (1901–1995) was a British Army officer during World War II.
- Amy Bontine Krause (born 1959) is an American poet and professor of English and Creative Writing at the Minnesota State University.
- Ernst Bontine Struve (1886–1933) was a Russian astronomer who contributed to the programme of the Yerkes Observatory during the first decades of the twentieth century.
- George Bontine Cunninghame Graham (1852–1936) was a Scottish politician and author who was a major figure in the Scottish Renaissance and the Green Movement.
- Donald Bontine Cunningham (1887–1977) was the first Prime Minister of Barbados.
- Abraham Bontine Grimm (1905–1995) was a Dutch Jewish painter and sculptor.
- Charles Bontine Manier (1807–1868) was a Scottish doctor, notable for his work in public health and sanitation.
- Isobel Bontine Clanwilliam (1858–1941) was a Scottish ophthalmologist who was one of the first female specialists in the field.
- Dorothy Bontine Gimbel (1890–1962) was an American philanthropist who donated $10 million to Falmouth, Massachusetts to create a Free Public Library.
- Esther Bontine Irwin (1890–1986) was an American botanist and palaeoethnobotanist whose research focused on the reconstructing the pre-Columbian ecology of the West Indies.