Show ContentsBaunburey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Baunburey family name to the British Isles. They 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 Baunburey family

The surname Baunburey 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 Baunburey family

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

Baunburey Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Bunbury, Baunbury, Bunby, Bunbry, Bunberry and others.

Early Notables of the Baunburey family

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

Ireland Migration of the Baunburey family to Ireland

Some of the Baunburey 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 Baunburey family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Baunburey or a variant listed above: T. Bunbury who arrived in Baltimore in 1820.



The Baunburey 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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