Show ContentsBynum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Bynum is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Norfolk.

However, one source notes the name was originally Welsh "derived from the name of an ancestor. —Ab-Eignon' (Welsh), i.e. 'the son of Eignon' or 'Ennion.' Robert ap Eignon had for his son Robert Baynham, of Chorewall, in the forest of Dean. Henceforward the family were so known. The name looks wonderfully English and local, but, as shown, is not so." [1]

Early Origins of the Bynum family

The surname Bynum was first found in the county of Norfolk. Baynham Hall is a 17th century manor house located in Michaelchurch-On-Arrow, Gladestry, Powys, Wales. We do know that Hugh Lloyd purchased Baynham Hall in about 1830, but as far as who originally had the manor house built remains a mystery.

John Bankyn or Banekyne (fl. 1382), was an "Augustinian friar and opponent of Wycliffe, born in London and educated in the Augustinian monastery of that city and afterwards at Oxford, where he attained the degree of doctor of divinity. " [2]

Hugh Benham or Hugo Benhyem (d. 1282), was Bishop of Aberdeen and succeeded Richard Pottock in the see in 1272. [2]

Cadugan ap Eynon was listed in Cheshire in 1285 and later Iorworth ap Egnon was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1287. [3]

Early History of the Bynum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bynum research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1458, 1476, 1497, 1500, 1501, 1514, 1516, 1532, 1536, 1543, 1546, 1557, 1565, 1582, 1593, 1602, 1606, 1611, 1628, 1629, 1664, 1681, 1738 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Bynum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bynum Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bynum has been spelled many different ways, including Baynham, Bayneham, Bainham, Banham, Banam and others.

Early Notables of the Bynum family

Notables of the family at this time include Thomas Baynham (d. 1500), Constable of St Briavel's Castle. His descendant, Sir Christopher Baynham (d.1557) was the first of the family to hold Clearwell, a village and former ancient manor in the Forest of Dean, West Gloucestershire.James Bainham (d. 1532), was an English martyr, who according to Foxe, was a son of Sir Alexander Bainham, who was Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1497, 1501, and 1516, though his name does not occur in any of the pedigrees of the family. James was sentenced as a relapsed heretic and burned in Smithfield on 30 April...
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bynum Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bynum Ranking

In the United States, the name Bynum is the 1,722nd most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. [4]

Ireland Migration of the Bynum family to Ireland

Some of the Bynum family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bynum migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bynums to arrive in North America:

Bynum Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Bynum, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1838 [5]
Bynum Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • William Bynum, who settled in America, in 1908
  • Sarah Bynum, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1910
  • Mabel Bynum, aged 60, who immigrated to America, in 1910
  • Jossie Bynum, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, England, in 1912
  • Laura Bynum, aged 47, who landed in America from Liverpool, England, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bynum (post 1700) +

  • William Dallas Bynum (1846-1927), U.S. Representative from Indiana
  • Reginald Deshain "Reggie" Bynum (b. 1964), former professional American football player
  • Kenneth Bernard "Kenny" Bynum (b. 1974), former American football running back
  • Laura Bynum (b. 1968), American author
  • Clarke Bynum (d. 2007), American basketball player
  • Juanita Bynum (b. 1959), American Pentecostal televangelist, author, actress and gospel singer
  • Freddie Lee Bynum Jr. (b. 1980), American professional baseball shortstop
  • Caroline Walker Bynum (b. 1941), American Medieval scholar
  • Hal Bynum (b. 1934), American songwriter
  • Josette "Josie" Bynum (b. 1977), American professional wrestler
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)


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