Surname Bonn - Meaning and Origin
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Redefining Personal Identity and Heritage: A Journey Through My iGENEA DNA Test and The Significance of The Surname 'Bonn'
How often do we consider the meaning and significance of our surname? My recent iGENEA DNA test journey showed me the profound influence of my surname, Bonn. Once simply a name linked to family and heritage, the significance of the surname Bonn evolved to a symbol of resilience and pride through the revelations unveiled by the test.
J. Bonn
read moreBonn: What does the surname Bonn mean?
The last name Bonn is of German origin and is thought to have derived from a place name. Specifically, Bonn is the name of a city located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia which was established in the 8th century. The origin of the city's name is unknown, but it may have been derived from 'podium,' a Latin word that referred to the site of an important event.
Alternatively, researchers have suggested that the place name could have been derived from a Celtic term or even a Roman element, meaning "base" or "foundation." This is in keeping with the city's long history as an important place in the region, having served as the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior from the 1st century CE, the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1798-1815, and the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949-1990.
It is likely then, that the last name Bonn is an indication or reference to this important city and is likely to have been adopted by an ancestor who originated from there, or who had ties to the region. In more recent years, the name has also been borne by notable individuals including former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, whose full name was Helmut Josef Michael Kohl of Bonn.
Though the meaning of the last name Bonn is likely tied to its place-name origins, today it is primarily associated with a person's ties or heritage from the city of Bonn.
Order DNA origin analysisBonn: Where does the name Bonn come from?
The last name Bonn is primarily found in Europe today. It is a common German surname and is mostly found in the country of Germany, where it makes up around 0.2% of the population. The highest density of people with the last name Bonn is in the Nordrhein-Westfalen region of western Germany. The surname is closely related to the city of Bonn, which was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990. The surname can also be found in other parts of Europe, including Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Outside of Europe, the last name Bonn is less common, but can still be found in other countries such as the United States and Canada. In the United States, the surname is found mostly in the Midwest, specifically in the states of Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota. Canada has smaller numbers of people with the last name Bonn, though the highest numbers are found in the provinces of Ontario and Alberta.
The last name Bonn is derived from an Old German word meaning "opening," which could refer to an opening in a cliff or a passageway. As such, people with the Bonn surname might have originated from an area where the land features enabled easy passage. Alternatively, the name may have its roots in a place-name related to the city of Bonn, which was founded in the 1st century AD. In either case, the name has a long history in Europe, and continues to be present today.
Variations of the surname Bonn
The surname Bonn is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Bona or Bono. This name has been found in many different forms and variants throughout history, including:
Bona - This is the most primitive form of the name, more often seen in medieval documents than in modern records.
Bono - This is its less commonly used form, found mainly in Italy.
Bon - This variant is found mainly in French, German, Dutch and Scandinavian countries.
Bonne - This feminine form of the name is slightly more common in British records than in American ones.
Bonner - This is the most common spelling of the surname in America.
Bonnefoy - This French variant of the Bonn surname is derived from the original name "bonne foi," which means "good faith" in French.
Bonnet - Derived from the French “bonnet” meaning little hat, this variant is usually found in Normandy and Brittany in France.
Bonney - This is an English variant of Bonn, originally derived from the Old French "bonne," which means "good."
Bonin - This is a variation of the original name originating in France.
Bonneau - This is a French variant of the Bonn surname, originally derived from the word “bonne” which means “good.”
Bonafont - Derived from the original name "bonne font" which means "good spring" in French, this is a variation of the Bonn surname found mainly in France and Spain.
Bonser - This is an English version of the Bonn surname derived from the Old French "bonne" which means "good."
Bonham - This is an English version of the Bonn surname that originated in county Durham, England.
Bonhams - This is a variant of the Bonham surname found mainly in England.
Bonhoff - This is a variation of the Bonn surname which originated in Germany.
Bonanni - This is an Italian version of the Bonn surname derived from the original name "Bona."
Bonnaire - This is a French version of the Bonn surname originally derived from the word “bonne,” which means “good.”
Famous people with the name Bonn
- Bonn eating Tobias: A German actor known for his roles in the films Egomania (1974), The Tin Drum (1979), and Agnes and His Brothers (2004).
- John Bonn: A Welsh director, producer, and cinematographer who has worked on television shows such as Love/Hate (2011-2012) and films such as London Town (2016).
- Kyra Bonn: An American actress best known for her roles in the television series Black-ish (2014-2018) and Girls (2012-2017).
- Richard Bonn: A German author and poet known for his works such as Der Pass (1974) and Glut (1997).
- Lillian Bonn: A Swiss painter who is known for her alpine landscapes, abstracted figurative pieces, and surrealist works.
- Renate Bonn: A German artist known for her sculptures and wall sculptures which often combine aspects of photography, illustration, and painting.
- Heinz Bonn: A German pianist known for his interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Robert Bonn: A British sculptor best known for his works in bronze and stone which often focus on natural forms, plants, and animals.
- Dieter Bonn: A German architect and urban planner known for his works in the city of Berlin.
- Hubert Bonn: A French journalist, writer, and author known for his books on French culture such as Balzac’s Mysteries (1985).