Show ContentsBuncoombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient roots of the Buncoombe family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Buncoombe comes from when the family lived in the village of Butcombe in the county of Somerset.

Early Origins of the Buncoombe family

The surname Buncoombe was first found in Somerset, where "this surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Buncombe,' or 'Boncombe,' some spot in the West country." 1 Kirby's Quest notes that Richard de Bounecombe was listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 2

Early History of the Buncoombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buncoombe research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1327 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Buncoombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buncoombe Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Buncoombe has appeared include Buncombe, Butcombe, Bounecombe, Bunecombe, Buncomb, Boncombe and many more.

Early Notables of the Buncoombe family

More information is included under the topic Early Buncoombe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Buncoombe family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Buncoombe arrived in North America very early: William Bunchcombe who arrived in Virginia in 1663.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. 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.


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