Show ContentsBunell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bunell family

The surname Bunell was first found in Berwickshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at Buncle (now Bunkle and Preston) in the lands of the Merse.

"The name of this place is derived from the Celtic word bon, signifying the foot or base, and kill, a cell or chapel; the word Preston, if of Saxon origin, would signify Priest-town, or the town of the priests, but some derive it from the Gaelic term Preas, a thicket, and tun, a town or farm. The manor was formerly possessed by Sir Alexander de Bunkle or Bonkle, by whom it was transferred, in 1288, to Sir John Stewart, on his marriage with the only child of Sir Alexander." 1

Adam de Bonekil was the first on record in the year 1160 as a witness to a charter by Richard Cumyn. 2

Early History of the Bunell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bunell research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1231 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Bunell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bunell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Buncle, Bunkle, Bunkill, Bunkell, Bunckill, Bonkyll and many more.

Early Notables of the Bunell family

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

Migration of the Bunell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Bunkley, who arrived in Virginia in 1657; John Buncle, who arrived in Virginia in 1704; George Buncle, who came to Savannah, GA in 1734; Alexander Buncle, who settled in Virginia in 1739.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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