Show ContentsBonneville History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The place name, from which the Bonneville family take their surname arrived in Scotland with the Viking settlers. The first to use Bonneville as a name no doubt 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 Bonneville family

The surname Bonneville 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 Bonneville family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonneville 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 Bonneville History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bonneville Spelling Variations

Few standards of spelling and translation existed in the Middle Ages. spelling variations, are thus, an extremely common occurrence in records of ancient Scottish names. Over the years, Bonneville has been spelled Bonville, Bonvile, Bonvill, Bonfield, Boneville, Bonfilly and many more.

Early Notables of the Bonneville family

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

Bonneville Ranking

In France, the name Bonneville is the 3,202nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. [5]

Ireland Migration of the Bonneville family to Ireland

Some of the Bonneville 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.


United States Bonneville migration to the United States +

Land and opportunity greeted all those who made it across the Atlantic. These settlers and their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Clan societies and other Scottish organizations have preserved much of this heritage for the ancestors of those brave Scots. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Bonneville to North America:

Bonneville Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Marguerite Brazier Bonneville, who arrived in New Orleans in 1831

Contemporary Notables of the name Bonneville (post 1700) +

  • Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville, American explorer, namesake of the ancient lake Bonneville in Utah, which is the Great Salt Lake Desert today
  • Miguel Bonneville (b. 1985), Portuguese performance and visual artist
  • David Bonneville (b. 1978), Portuguese film director and screenwriter
  • Nicolas de Bonneville (1760-1828), French bookseller, printer, journalist, and writer
  • Ray Bonneville, Canadian blues musician and recording artist


  1. 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)
  2. 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)
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  4. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  5. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/


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