Bonenfant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Bonenfant

What does the name Bonenfant mean?

The earliest origins of the Bonenfant surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who was referred to as the bon enfant, and is equivalent to the English Goodchild. 1 2

"This name has been derived from Normandy, France, bel enfant, fine child." 3

Early Origins of the Bonenfant family

The surname Bonenfant was first found in Oxfordshire, where William Bonenfant, Bonenfaud was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1207-1208. Later, Henry Bonefant was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire in 1279 and in Sussex, John Bon Effaunt was registered in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. In London, early records there show Roger Bonyfaunt in 1472 and in Suffolk, Henry Bolyvaunt was registered in the SubsidyRolls for 1524. 1

The Writs of Parliament lists William Bonenfannt, or Bonaffaunt, 1302. Another source note the following in the Hundredorum Rolls: Walter Bonenfant, Cambridgeshire; Bonenfant Judaus, Cambridgeshire; Henry Bonefant, Buckinghamshire; and John Bonefaunt, Oxfordshire. 4

Early History of the Bonenfant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonenfant research. Another 216 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1207, 1279, 1332, 1349, 1369, 1472, 1524, 1540, 1631, 1637, 1674 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Bonenfant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bonenfant Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bonenfant are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bonenfant include: Bonyfant, Bonifant, Bonenfant, Bonenfand, Bonefant, Bon Effaunt, Bonyfaunt, Bolyvaunt, Bonyvant and many more.

Early Notables of the Bonenfant family

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

Bonenfant Ranking

the United States, the name Bonenfant is the 17,437^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 However, in France, the name Bonenfant is ranked the 3,571^st most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 6

Bonenfant migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bonenfant or a variant listed above:

Bonenfant Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Joseph Bonenfant, aged 30, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "La Champagne" in 1901 7
Marie Bonenfant, aged 30, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Lusitania" in 1908 7
Therese Bonenfant, aged 29, Canadian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Duchess of Richmond" in 1934 7

Bonenfant migration to Canada +

André Bonenfant, son of René and Marie, who married Marie-Louise Richard, daughter of François and Marie-Angélique, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec on 4th February 1732 8
Augustin Bonenfant, son of André and Marie-Louise, who married Marie-Jeanne Petit, daughter of Pierre and Marie-Anne, in Saint-Michel, Quebec on 5th May 1766 8
Jean Bonenfant, son of Jean-Baptiste and Véronique, who married Marie-Dorothée Hudon, daughter of Étienne and Geneviève, in Rivière-Ouelle, Quebec on 7th January 1783 8

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.