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![Show Contents]() Bonzal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Anglo-Saxon name Bonzal comes from the family having resided in or around the manor of Bonsall in the county of Derbyshire. Early Origins of the Bonzal familyThe surname Bonzal was first found in Derbyshire at Bonsall, a parish, in the hundred of Wirksworth. 1 The parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Bunteshale. 2 At that time, it was shown as "the King's land." "This parish, anciently called Bonteshall, comprises by computation 2338 acres." 1 Literally, the place name means "nook of land of a man called Bunt," from the Old English personal name + "halh." 3 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 Bonzal familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonzal research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bonzal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bonzal Spelling VariationsBonzal has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Bonsall, Bonzall, Bonsale and others. Early Notables of the Bonzal familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bonzal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bonzal familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bonzals to arrive on North American shores: 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 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.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
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