Show ContentsBonthron History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bonthron family

The surname Bonthron was first found in Northumberland where the name was originally Bontaveron. They moved north into Scotland where they settled about 1300 in Fife.

Early History of the Bonthron family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonthron research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1548, 1617, 1643 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Bonthron History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bonthron Spelling Variations

The name Bonthron, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Bonthron, Bonthrone, Bontaverone, Bontavern, Bonthorne, Bonthorn, Bonython and many more.

Early Notables of the Bonthron family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • John Bonthrone of Straemiglo


New Zealand Bonthron migration to New Zealand +

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:

Bonthron Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Bonthron, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Helenslee" arriving in Bluff, Southland, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1863 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Bonthron (post 1700) +

  • William R "Bill" Bonthron (b. 1912), American track and field athlete, who won the Sullivan award as America's outstanding amateur athlete in 1934
  • Brett Bonthron, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of San Francisco
  • Bob Bonthron (b. 1880), Scottish footballer


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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