The origins of the Bonsil name lie with England's ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in or around the manor of
Bonsall in the county of Derbyshire.
Early Origins of the Bonsil family
The surname Bonsil was first found in
Derbyshire at Bonsall, a parish, in the
hundred of Wirksworth.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. The parish dates back to the
Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Bunteshale.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) At that time, it was shown as "the King's land." "This parish, anciently called Bonteshall, comprises by computation 2338 acres."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Literally, the place name means "nook of land of a man called Bunt," from the Old English
personal name + "halh."
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) It is noted for its lead mining and there is evidence that the town has been populated since 2000 B.C., one of the few early records of the ancient Britons.
Early History of the Bonsil family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonsil research.
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bonsil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bonsil Spelling Variations
Before 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 Bonsil were recorded, including Bonsall, Bonzall, Bonsale and others.
Early Notables of the Bonsil family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Bonsil Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Bonsil family to the New World and Oceana
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 Bonsil family emigrate to North America: Richard Bonsall and his wife Mary, and his five children, Obadiah, Elizabeth, Rachel, Anne, and Abigail, who settled in Philadelphia in 1682; Edward, George, and James Bonsall arrived in Philadelphia between 1850 and 1864..
The Bonsil 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: Pro patria
Motto Translation: For my country.