Show ContentsBoundy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Boundy

What does the name Boundy mean?

Boundy is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a husbandman, or a farmer. 1

The name stems from the Old English/Saxon roots bonda and bunda, which were used to indicate such a person. "There are several persons called Bonde in the Domesday [Book], one of whom is somewhat contradictorily called 'liber homo.' 2 3 Bonde, Bondi, Bunde, Bundi were all listed in the Domesday Book. 4

Early Origins of the Boundy family

The surname Boundy was first found in Norfolk where Albertus filius Bund, Bonde was listed in the Feet of Fines of 1199 and 1202. Norman le Bonde was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire in 1180 and William Bonde was a Knights Templar in 1185. Later, Robert Bunde was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1198 and Henry le Bounde was found in Hertfordshire in 1297. 4

"Ralph de Bonde occurs in Palgrave's Rotuli Curiae Regis of 1199. Robert de Bundy founded Bradley Priory, Leicestershire, in the time of King John. There was a family of Bendys in Staffordshire. 'Shutt-End,' says Erdeswick, 'is an old house, formerly of the Bendys.' William Bendy of Holbeach left two daughters his co-heirs: and another William Bendy, of King's Swinford, was Clerk of the Peace for the county, and died in 1684. William Bondi, of Bedfordshire, and Thomas Bundi, of Shropshire, occur in the Rotuli Hundredorum, c. 1272. Richard Bundy, in 1313, appears in Palgrave's Parliamentary Writs as 'manucaptor of John Pistor. ' " 5

They "have their principal homes in the west of England in Devon and Somerset, and in the east of England in Norfolk and Suffolk; they are also established in Lancashire and Staffordshire. Six centuries ago the name was still to be found in numbers in Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as in the neighbouring counties of Lincoln, Hunts, and Cambridge, and also in Oxfordshire, in the forms of Bond and Bonde." 6

By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the family were scattered throughout ancient Britain: Emma le Bonde in Huntingdonshire (1271); Robert le Bonde in Worcestershire; and Walter le Bond in Cambridgeshire. The same rolls also had an entry for the name as a forename in Norfolk: Bonde Brit. 7

Kirby's Quest of Somerset had two entries both "1 Edward III" (during the first year of King Edward III's reign): Robert le Bonde; and John le Bonnde. 8

Early History of the Boundy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boundy research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1612, 1623, 1625, 1633, 1634, 1640, 1656, 1658, 1659, 1669, 1673, 1676, 1678, 1686, 1692, 1695, 1707, 1744, 1747, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Boundy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boundy Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Boundy has been recorded under many different variations, including Bond, Bonde, Bunde, Bundy and others.

Early Notables of the Boundy family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Denis Bond (died 1658), English politician from Dorset who sat in the House of Commons between 1640 and 1656, supporter of the Parliamentarian cause in the English Civil War and served as president of the Council of State during the Commonwealth;John Bond LL.D. (1612-1676), an English jurist, Puritan clergyman, member of the Westminster Assembly, and Master of Trinity Hall; Cambridge Nathaniel Bond, KS, (1634-1707), of Creech Grange in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, an English lawyer...
Another 83 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boundy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boundy family to Ireland

Some of the Boundy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Boundy migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Boundys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Boundy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William F. Boundy, (b. 1871), aged 21, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 16th May 1892 en route to Michigan, USA 9
  • Mr. John H. Boundy, (b. 1872), aged 25, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th September 1897 en route to Jackson, California, USA 9
Boundy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. John Boundy, (b. 1881), aged 19, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 4th March 1900 en route to Chicago, Illinois, USA 9
  • Mr. William Francis Boundy, (b. 1870), aged 34, Cornish miner, from Truro, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Germanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd May 1904 en route to Houghton, Michigan, USA 9
  • Mrs. Laura J. Boundy, (b. 1871), aged 34, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 9
  • Mr. Cornelius Boundy, (b. 1885), aged 20, Cornish miner, from Perranporth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Cedric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA 9
  • Miss Evelyn Boundy, (b. 1898), aged 7, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Paul" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 9

Boundy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Boundy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Ann Boundy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 10
  • Fanny Boundy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 10
  • John Boundy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 10
  • Kitty Boundy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 10
  • William Boundy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Constance" in 1848 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Boundy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Boundy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Boundy, (b. 1841), aged 22, Cornish farm labourer from Cornwall travelling from London aboard the ship "Tiptree" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 20th January 1864 11
  • Miss Bessie Boundy, (b. 1872), aged 2, Cornish settler departing on 10th February 1874 aboard the ship "Atrato" going to Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand she died before arriving on 19th June 1874 12
  • Miss Jane M. Boundy, (b. 1865), aged 9, Cornish settler departing on 10th February 1874 aboard the ship "Atrato" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 19th June 1874 12
  • Mr. John A. Boundy, (b. 1870), aged 4, Cornish settler departing on 10th February 1874 aboard the ship "Atrato" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 19th June 1874 12
  • Mrs. Mary A. Boundy, (b. 1843), aged 31, Cornish settler departing on 10th February 1874 aboard the ship "Atrato" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 19th June 1874 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Boundy (post 1700) +

  • John Boundy, American visual effects specialist, known for his work on Sherlock Holmes (2009), Les Misérables (2012) and About Time (2013)
  • Megan Boundy, American first assistant camera, known for her work on Thor (2011), Knight and Day (2010) and Bridesmaids (2011)
  • Gerald Oscar Boundy (1895-1964), English cricketer who played two first-class matches for Somerset in 1926 and 1930
  • Craig Boundy, British Managing Director of Experian UK and Ireland
  • Leslie David Boundy (1932-2003), Australian politician, member for Goyder (1974-1977)

HMS Dorsetshire
  • Jack Boundy (d. 1945), British Leading Steward aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 13
  • Ernest Alfred Boundy (d. 1945), British Chief Petty Officer Steward aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 13


The Boundy 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: Non Sufficit Orbis
Motto Translation: The world does not suffice.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  6. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  7. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  8. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  10. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CONSTANCE - 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Constance.htm
  11. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  13. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook