| ![Show Contents]() Bonafont History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of BonafontWhat does the name Bonafont mean? Bonafont is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bonafont family lived in Oxfordshire where they were established since the early Middle Ages. Early Origins of the Bonafont familyThe surname Bonafont was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor with they were granted a lordship.After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, William Bonnifant (Bullivant) held estates in 1207 in that shire. Early History of the Bonafont familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bonafont research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1279, 1472, 1524 and 1674 are included under the topic Early Bonafont History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bonafont Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bonafont include Bullivant, Bullivant, Bonnifant, Bonifant, Bonafont, Bullifent, Bulifent, Bulifant, Bonifent, Bonnivant, Bonifant and many more. Early Notables of the Bonafont familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bonafont Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bonafont familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bonafonts to arrive on North American shores: Rebecca Bullifant settled in Virginia in 1653; Benjamin Bullivant settled in Boston in 1688 and Francis Bullivant settled in Virginia in 1699.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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