Show ContentsBone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bone reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bone family lived in Sussex. Their name, however, does not refer to that area, but to their former place of residence, the town of Bohun, in the French maritime department of La Manche, in western Normandy. [1]

Early Origins of the Bone family

The surname Bone was first found in Sussex. Humphrey with the Beard (died c. 1113) was a Norman soldier and nobleman fought in the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 and is the earliest known ancestor of the de Bohun family. [2]

He had three sons: Robert de Bohun, who had no issue; Richard de Bohun, progenitor through the female line, of the Bohuns of Midhurst; and Humphrey I de Bohun (died c.1123) who through marriage became "the founder of the fortunes of his family." His son, Humphrey II de Bohun (died 1165) continued the lineage. His son, Henry de Bohun (1176-1220), was the 1st Earl of Hereford and Hereditary Constable of England from 1199 to 1220. [3]

"Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, inheriting the honour of Essex from his mother, Maud, sister and heiress of William de Mandeville, last Earl of Essex, was created Earl of that county by Henry III., and in a few years after stood sponsor for Prince Edward. In 1250, he assumed the cross, and proceeded to the Holy Land, and in the great content between the King and the Barons, fought under the banner of the latter, in whose army his son Humphrey was one of the most distinguished leaders, and commanded the infantry at the Battle of Evesham. " [2]

Early History of the Bone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bone research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1215, 1220, 1275, 1298, 1342, 1368, 1372, 1373, 1394, 1397, 1587, 1645, 1660, 1698, 1699 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bone Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bone include Bohon, Bohun, Bone, Boon, Boone, Bohan, Bound and many more.

Early Notables of the Bone family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Humphrey VII de Bohun (d. 1298), 3rd Earl of Hereford and 2nd Earl of Essex, who, along with Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, led the barons in opposition to King Edward I; Humphrey de Bohun (1342-1373), 7th (and last) Earl of Hereford, 6th Earl of Essex and 2nd Earl of Northampton; and Mary de Bohun (c.1368-1394), who was the...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bone Ranking

In the United States, the name Bone is the 2,635th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. [4] However, in the United Kingdom, the name Bone is ranked the 967th most popular surname with an estimated 7,205 people with that name. [5]

Ireland Migration of the Bone family to Ireland

Some of the Bone family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bone migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bones to arrive on North American shores:

Bone Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Bone, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 [6]
  • William Bone, who settled in Virginia in 1643
  • Ann Bone, who settled in Virginia in 1663
  • Jane Bone, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 [6]
  • Thomas Bone, who landed in Maryland in 1665 [6]
Bone Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Bone, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 [6]
  • Adam Bone, aged 27, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1736 [6]
  • Stephen Bone, who arrived in New England in 1736 [6]
  • Hendrick Bone, aged 30, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1739 [6]
  • John Bone, who settled in Maryland in 1747
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bone Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • A Bone, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [6]
  • Robert Bone, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 [6]
  • Shadrach Bone, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1858 [6]
  • Quentin Bone, aged 26, who landed in America in 1867 [6]
  • Mr. Richard Bone, (b. 1850), aged 24, Cornish farmer departing from Bristol aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 1 May 1874 [7]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Bone migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bone Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John A. Bone, (b. 1821), aged 34, English smith, from Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking [8]
  • Mrs. Ann Bone, (b. 1823), aged 32, English settler, from Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [8]
  • Miss Jane A. Bone, (b. 1845), aged 10, English settler, from Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [8]
  • Miss Amelia Bone, (b. 1848), aged 7, English settler, from Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [8]
  • Miss Anne Bone, (b. 1853), aged 2, English settler, from Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [8]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Bone migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bone Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Bone, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia [9]
  • Samuel Joseph Bone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince Regent" in 1839 [10]
  • Henry Bone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Orleana" in 1840 [11]
  • George Bone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 [12]
  • Sophia Bone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "John" in 1840 [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Bone migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bone Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Richard Bone, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
  • Agnes Bone, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
  • Peter Bone, aged 26, a joiner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cartvale" in 1874
  • Mrs. Agnes Bone, (b. 1850), aged 24, Cornish settler departing on 25th June 1874 aboard the ship "Cartvale" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 11th October 1874 [13]
  • Mr. Richard Bone, (b. 1849), aged 25, Cornish labourer departing on 25th June 1874 aboard the ship "Cartvale" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 11th October 1874 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bone (post 1700) +

  • Rear Admiral Craig E Bone, American naval officer, Director of Inspection & Compliance, U.S. Coast Guard
  • Scott Cordelle Bone (1921-1925), American politician, Governor of Alaska (1921-1925)
  • Robert Trewick Bone (1790-1840), English painter of sacred, classical and genre scenes
  • Henry Bone (1755-1834), English enamel painter, born at Truro 6 Feb. 1755 [14]
  • Mr. Malcolm John “George” Bone M.B.E. (b. 1953), British Chairman for Hebburn Unit at Sea Cadet Corps, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for voluntary service to Young People and the community in Tyne and Wear [15]
  • James Bone (1872-1962), British journalist and London editor of The Guardian
  • Tiberiu Bone (1929-1983), Romanian footballer
  • Alex Bone (b. 1971), Scottish footballer
  • Jimmy Bone (b. 1949), Scottish footballer
  • Sir Muirhead Bone (1876-1953), Scottish artist

HMAS Sydney II


Suggested Readings for the name Bone +

  • History of the Bone Family of America: Descendants of William Bone I to the Mid-Nineteenth Century and Some of His Ancestors by Robert Gehlman Bone.

  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  8. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  9. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE REGENT 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839PrinceRegent.htm
  11. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ORLEANA 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Orleana.htm
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) JOHN from London 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840John.htm
  13. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Wellington 1872-1880 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nz_wellington.pdf
  14. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 5 Feb. 2019
  15. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
  16. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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