Bonieface History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the family name Bonieface date back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name given to a lucky person. The surname Bonieface is derived from the Latin word bonifatius, which comes from the word bonum, which means good, and the word fatum, which means fate. Contrary to popular belief, the surname is not a derivative of bonifacius, which means well-doer. An English monk and missionary of this name was martyred in Germany in the mid-8th century, and subsequently was canonized as Saint Boniface.

He lived from (680-755) and whose original name was Winfrid or Winfrith, born at Kirton, or Crediton, in Devonshire. 1

Also, Pope Boniface VIII had several clashes with King Edward I of England over the taxation of the clergy.

Early Origins of the Bonieface family

The surname Bonieface was first found in Sussex, where "Boniface is an old Sussex name that has characterised the county since the 15th century." 2

Boniface of Savoy (d. 1270), was Archbishop of Canterbury, and the eleventh child of Thomas I, Ccount of Savoy. "The date of his birth is uncertain; but in his early youth he was destined for an ecclesiastical career. The numerous stock of the house of Savoy had to be provided for, and Boniface seems to have accepted a clerical life as a means of political advancement. " 1

"Boniface of Savoy, Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 1270), would give an English impetus to this name, just at the time when surnames were becoming hereditary. " 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed early spellings in various counties: Archibald Boneface, Kent; Ernald Boneface, Oxfordshire; and Bonifacius le Clerc, Lincolnshire. 3

Kirby's Quest had two early entries too: "Robert Boneface and B. Boniface atte Poule, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) " 4

Early History of the Bonieface family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonieface research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1200, 1273, 1456 and 1543 are included under the topic Early Bonieface History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bonieface Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bonieface include Bonyface, Boniface, Bonieface, Bonifase, Boneface and others.

Early Notables of the Bonieface family

More information is included under the topic Early Bonieface Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bonieface family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Richard Boniface, who arrived in Maryland in 1775.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.