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The earliest roots of the name Bonfillay are with the Viking settlers of the early Middle Ages; the surname having come from a place named by the Vikings It is a name for someone who 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
The surname Bonfillay 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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonfillay 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 Bonfillay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Standards against which to judge the accuracy of spellings and translations did not yet exist in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations in names dating from that era, are thus, an extremely common occurrence. Bonfillay has been recorded as Bonville, Bonvile, Bonvill, Bonfield, Boneville, Bonfilly and many more.
Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bonfillay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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.
The New World was far from the oppressive regime of the old country. It was a place where there was more land than people and political and religious freedom were far easier to come by. Many Scots even got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. In recent years, interest in this heritage has been generated by Clan societies and regular highland games in North America. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Bonfillay name: Baker and his brother James Bonfield arrived in Philadelphia in 1832; Joe Bonfilly settled in Virginia in 1635.