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]
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]
Another source claims that Cheshire is the first place of origin as Albrice le Baunker was listed there in the Feet of Fines of 1245. Later, Thomas Bankar was listed in Northumberland in 1358. [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buncher research. Another 187 words (13 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.
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.
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.