BONAR
Bonar is a surname of predominantly Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic word bonn, which translates into English as “sole” or “foundation”. Historically, it was adopted as a nickname that described an individual of steadfast character and reliable disposition, and subsequently evolved into a hereditary family name.
The Gaelic roots are complemented by a topographical meaning. From the Scottish Gaelic Bonnamhuir, the name is understood to mean “foot of the moor”, a designation likely used for families dwelling near marshy moorland. This dual derivation underscores both personal attributes and the landscape of early bearers of the name.
Other linguistic roots have been identified, suggesting a multiplicity of origins. The form Boner and its variants are connected with pre‑8th‑century Old French through the phrase “de bonne aire”, literally “of handsome or good bearing”. In the Middle English period, this developed into the nickname bonere or bonour, bestowed upon those perceived to embody these qualities. An Irish derivation exists in the Gaelic name O'Cnaimhsighe, meaning “descendant of Cnaimhseach”, with the byname translating approximately to “midwife”. A Welsh connection traces back to the patronymic “ab Ynyr” (son of Ynyr), a name derived from Latin Honorius, meaning one who is honoured.
Historical records first document the name in the late thirteenth century. Thomas Boner is mentioned as a charter witness in Aberdeen in 1281, and an earlier spelling, John Boneyre, appears in the 1250 chartulary of the Ramsey monastery in Huntingdonshire during the reign of King Henry III. In the fifteenth century, the Bonar family rose to prominence in Scotland, with Sir John Bonar appointed Chamberlain of the Royal Household in 1506. The family acquired numerous landed titles and played a significant role in the Scottish Parliament.
In contemporary times the surname remains most common in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and in the regions of Dumfries & Galloway and South Ayrshire. Its presence extends across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with notable concentration in Californian, New Jersey, and Massachusetts communities in the United States; British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta in Canada; and New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.
Across its geographic spread, the name Bonar has been associated with themes of honour, loyalty and public service, reflecting the family’s long‑standing commitment to community and to the nation. The surname continues to be borne by individuals who celebrate their heritage and uphold the values historically linked to the name.
Spelling variants proliferate, reflecting migration and linguistic evolution. Recorded forms include Boner, Bonner, Bonnaire, Bonnur, Bonarow, Bunre, Boneurre, Bunner, Buner, Bonur, and others. Related surnames derived from similar Gaelic and Latin roots include MacAonghais (McInnes), McEwan, McIlhaney, Macomish, and the Irish Lawlor. Despite these differences, the core identity of the Bonar lineage endures, carrying a strong sense of heritage and community among its descendants.
Typical given names associated with the Bonar surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Angela
- Anne
- Catherine
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Gemma
- Irene
- Jean
- Kalok
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Bonar in...
Braille
⠃⠕⠝⠁⠗
Morse
-...----..-.-.
Semaphore
There are approximately 905 people named Bonar in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,979th most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named Bonar.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Bonar
- Horatius Bonar - Minister and poet (1808 to 1889)
- James Bonar - Scottish economist (1852 to 1941)
- Paul Bonar - Scottish football player
- Jane Lundie Bonar - Scottish hymnwriter (1821 to 1884)
- Steven Bonar - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.