The name Buncher is of
Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in
Oxfordshire. The name is thought to be descriptive of someone who lived near a
bank, or an area of raised ground, and is derived from the Old English word,
benche, of the same meaning, although this derivation and meaning are by no means certain. Another source claims the "surname is derived from an official title. 'the bencher,' the banker.' Very early instances of some office in legal or exchequer matters."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)Early Origins of the Buncher family
The surname Buncher was first found in
Oxfordshire, where one of the first records of the family appeared in the
Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Roger de Bencher. The Writs of Parliament in 1298 list Robert le Banker and John le Bancker (London) in 1300.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Buncher family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buncher research.
Another 254 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1296, 1500, 1674, 1665, 1734, 1695, 1696, 1707 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Buncher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Buncher 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 Buncher 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Buncher include: Bencher, Banker, Benchere, Buncher, Benchaire and many more.
Early Notables of the Buncher family (pre 1700)
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Buncher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Buncher family to Ireland
Some of the Buncher family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Buncher family to the New World and Oceana
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 Buncher or a variant listed above: William Banker who arrived in New York in 1822.