Bonnett History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Bonnett evolved in ancient Germany in the state of Bavaria. It is a patronymic name. Patronymics are derived from the given name of the father of the bearer. Names derived from the name of the mother of the bearer, which are less common, are called metronymic names. Patronymic names were generally formed from traditional, German given names, rather than the names of saints or biblical figures, as is the custom in many other European cultures. Bonnett comes from the Latin personal name Bonitus, a derivative of the word bonus, which means good. The name was originally a French occupational name for a milliner, or a nickname for a wearer of unusual headgear, derived from the Old French word bonnet, which means bonnet or hat. However, the name spread to Bavaria during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period of widespread European migration. The Bonnett family emerged as a noble family in Bavaria and it had numerous distinguished branches. Furthermore, the Bonnett family become noted for its involvement in the social, economic and political development of the region. Early Origins of the Bonnett familyThe surname Bonnett was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bonnet was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society of early European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Early History of the Bonnett familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonnett research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1720, 1743, 1754 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Bonnett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bonnett Spelling VariationsOne can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Bonnett include Bonnet, Bonnett, Bonett, Bonnette, Bonette and many more. Early Notables of the Bonnett familyProminent among members of the name Bonnett in this period include Charles Bonnet (1720-1793), Swiss naturalist and philosophical writer. Although he chose law as his profession, his first love was natural science, publishing several... Bonnett RankingIn the United States, the name Bonnett is the 6,662nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1
The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Bonnett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Bonnett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
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: Bonnett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 7 Bonnett Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
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