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![Show Contents]() Bonnavant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
When the ancestors of the Bonnavant family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Oxfordshire where they were established since the early Middle Ages. Early Origins of the Bonnavant familyThe surname Bonnavant was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor with they were granted a lordship.After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, William Bonnifant (Bullivant) held estates in 1207 in that shire. Early History of the Bonnavant familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonnavant research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1279, 1472, 1524 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Bonnavant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bonnavant Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Bonnavant has been recorded under many different variations, including Bullivant, Bullivant, Bonnifant, Bonifant, Bonafont, Bullifent, Bulifent, Bulifant, Bonifent, Bonnivant, Bonifant and many more. Early Notables of the Bonnavant familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bonnavant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bonnavant familyTo escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Bonnavants were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Rebecca Bullifant settled in Virginia in 1653; Benjamin Bullivant settled in Boston in 1688 and Francis Bullivant settled in Virginia in 1699.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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