Bondvil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Scottish annals reveal that the Bondvil surname came from a place name in Scotland, named with Viking elements. The name was no doubt taken on when they lived in Normandy, at the Castle of Bonneville or Bondeville. Some of the family remained in Normandy as seen by the record of William de Bonville who was listed there in 1124. 1 "The Itineraire de la Normandie records three places so called, two near Rouen and the third near Yvetot." 2

Early Origins of the Bondvil family

The surname Bondvil was first found in Devon, but early records also revealed that Bonvilston in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales which may have been an ancient family seat as the village is named after Simon de Bonville, a Norman nobleman who lived there in the 12th century. "In 1165 the son of Robert de Bonavilla held lands in York. The Barons Bonville were of this house." 1

"The descendant of the Norman chief was summoned to Parliament, 28 Henry VI., as Baron Bonville of Chuton. He subsequently espoused the interests of the House of York, and was one of those to whom the custody of Henry VI. was committed after the Battle of Northampton." 3

Later Sir Nicholas de Bonville of Shute's son Sir William Bonville (c. 1332-1408) held estates at Newenham Abbey, Devon and rests there. His son was Sir John Bonville (c. 1371-1396) and his son was William Bonville, 1st Baron Bonville (c. 1392-1461), KG, of Shute, Devon, the English nobleman, soldier, and administrator.

"In the reign of Edward IV. the manor of Cransworth [in the parish of St. Wen, Cornwall] belonged to the family of Bonville." 4

In 1400 they were granted a charter of lands by King Robert 3rd of Scotland at Balhelvy Bonvile.

One branch of the family was found in Scotland in early times. "Adam de Bonuill was present at perambulation of the bounds of Kynblathmund, 1219. John de Boneville had a charter of the lands of Collistoun and two roumes of Arndendrachtis in the lordship of Buchan, 1321 and John de Bonevyle is mentioned in 1326 as owner of the land of Blairtoun in the thanedom of Balhelvie, Aberdeenshire. " 2

Early History of the Bondvil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bondvil research. Another 145 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1326, 1340, 1341, 1376, 1392, 1400, 1449, 1461, 1475, 1621 and 1676 are included under the topic Early Bondvil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bondvil Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are extremely common among Scottish names dating from this era because the arts of spelling and translation were not yet standardized. Spelling was done by sound, and translation from Gaelic to English was generally quite careless. In different records, Bondvil has been spelled Bonville, Bonvile, Bonvill, Bonfield, Boneville, Bonfilly and many more.

Early Notables of the Bondvil family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bondvil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bondvil family to Ireland

Some of the Bondvil family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bondvil family

Those who made the voyage were greeted with ample opportunity to acquire land and a political climate far away from the oppressive monarchy of the old country. They settled along the east coast of what would become Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence, those who remained loyal to England traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, many Scots living in North America have begun to recover their rich heritage through festivals, highland games, and Clan societies. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Bondvil: Baker and his brother James Bonfield arrived in Philadelphia in 1832; Joe Bonfilly settled in Virginia in 1635.

Citations +

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)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print