Bonhomme History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe Bonhomme surname is derived from the Old French words "bon" and "homme," in turn from the Latin "bonus homo" both of which literally meant "good man," but also came to mean a "peasant farmer." Early Origins of the Bonhomme familyThe surname Bonhomme was first found in Wiltshire at Bonham, a hamlet now in the parish of Stourton with Gasper. "Bonham, though placed in the Ordo, and even in some ancient documents, as in Somersetshire, is really in Wilts. The small manor and tything of Bonham had formerly belonged to a family of that name (Editha Bonham, elected abbess of Shaftesbury 15th November, 1441, obiit 20th April, 1460), and afterwards came into the possession of the Stourtons." 1 Early History of the Bonhomme familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonhomme research. Another 211 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1247, 1273, 1327, 1500, 1545, 1549, 1550, 1597, 1611 and 1629 are included under the topic Early Bonhomme History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bonhomme Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bonhomme were recorded, including Bonham, Bonhume, Bonhomme, Bonhom, Bonhome, Bonum, Bonem and many more. Early Notables of the Bonhomme familyNotables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Bonham, English politician, Member of the Parliament of England for Chippenham in 1545, High Sheriff of Wiltshire from 1549 to... Bonhomme RankingIn France, the name Bonhomme is the 409th most popular surname with an estimated 10,392 people with that name. 2
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Bonhomme family emigrate to North America: Bonhomme Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
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