Show ContentsBumburay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bumburay was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bumburay family lived in Cheshire, where they were located since the early Middle Ages. The family name is derived from the area Bunbury, near Nantwich in this shire. The name Bunbury derives from the Old English personal name Buna, and the burh, which means "fortress."

Early Origins of the Bumburay family

The surname Bumburay was first found in Cheshire at Bunbury, a village and civil parish now in the unitary authority of Cheshire East. The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Boleberie 1 and literally meant "stronghold of a man called Buna," from the Old English personal name + "burh." 2

The family of "great antiquity, descended from Henry de Boneberi, in the time of Stephen, a younger brother of the House of St. Pierre in Normandy. William de Boneberi, son of Henry, was Lord of Beneberi in the reign of Richard I." 3 As a cadet of the Norman house of St. Pierre who accompanied Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, at the Conquest, they obtained from him the manor of Bunbury. The family has held estates in the area for many centuries. By example, the extra-parochial liberty Great Stanney in Cheshire was held by the family since ancient times. " The ancient mansion here of the family of Bunbury, called Rake Hall, has been repaired by its present owner, Sir Henry Bunbury, Bart.; several farm-buildings have been erected, and the roads much improved." 4

Nearby, Little Stanney was also property of Sir Henry Bunbury. A most benevolent family, Sir Thomas Bunbury, founded a free school with £5 per annum.

Early History of the Bumburay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bumburay research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1657, 1673, 1674, 1676, 1682, 1687, 1733, 1781, 1787, 1797, 1802, 1822 and 1851 are included under the topic Early Bumburay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bumburay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bumburay have been found, including Bunbury, Baunbury, Bunby, Bunbry, Bunberry and others.

Early Notables of the Bumburay family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bumburay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Bumburay family to Ireland

Some of the Bumburay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 92 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bumburay family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bumburay were among those contributors: T. Bunbury who arrived in Baltimore in 1820.



The Bumburay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Firmum in vita nihil
Motto Translation: Nothing in life is permanent.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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