Bunkley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Bunkley came to England with the ancestors of the Bunkley family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bunkley family lived in Suffolk at Bungay, a market town that dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Bunghea, probably derived from the Old English personal name + inga + eg and meant "island of the family or followers of a man called Buna." 1 Another reference claims the placename was derived from the term "le-bon-eye," signifying "the good island," as it was nearly surrounded by the river Waveney, which was once a broad stream. Soon after the Norman Conquest, a castle was built, which, from its situation and the strength of its fortifications, was deemed impregnable by its possessor, Hugh Bigot, Earl of Norfolk, in the reign of Stephen; but that monarch, in the 6th of his reign, in the year 1140, came with his army and took it. Over the years Bungay Castle has fallen into ruins, but in 1934 the amateur archaeologist Leonard Cane convinced people that a restoration was needed. Today it is owned by the Bungay Castle Trust.

Early Origins of the Bunkley family

The surname Bunkley was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Bungay at the time of the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D. Conjecturally they are descended from William de Noyers who held the lands of Bungay from the King. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086 the holdings consisted of 4 Churches, 2.5 mills, 60 goats and 100 sheep. Bungay Castle was built by the Norman Earl Hugh Bigod in the 12th century.

Reginal de Bungheye was Lord Mayor of London in 1240. Thomas Bungay (fl. 1290), was a learned Franciscan friar, born at Bungay, Suffolk, and educated at Paris and Oxford. He became the tenth reader in divinity at Oxford. He later moved to Cambridge, where he held a similar position. 2

Early History of the Bunkley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bunkley research. Another 40 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1588 is included under the topic Early Bunkley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bunkley Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Bungey, Bungay, Bunker, Bunkar, Bunkey, Bunkay, Bungy and many more.

Early Notables of the Bunkley family

More information is included under the topic Early Bunkley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bunkley migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Bunkley or a variant listed above:

Bunkley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Bunkley, who arrived in Virginia in 1657

Bunkley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Emily Bunkley, originally from Hull, England, who arrived in New York in 1911 aboard the ship "Laurentic" from Liverpool, England 3
Allen C. Bunkley, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Ozaukee" from Chaparra, Cuba 3
Louis Bunkley, aged 54, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Ponce" from San Juan, Puerto Rico 3
Lewis H. Bunkley, aged 55, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Mc Keesport" from Havre and Dunkirk, France 3
William Bunkley, aged 42, who arrived in New York in 1924 aboard the ship "Leviathan" from Southampton, England 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Bunkley (post 1700) +

Darren Bunkley, American Primetime Emmy Award winning producer, known for his work on The Amazing Race (2001), 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd (1999) and Phil of the Future (2004)
Brodrick Bunkley (b. 1983), American NFL football nose tackle for the New Orleans Saints

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result