Explore the Family Name Bonwell
The meaning of Bonwell
English (Yorkshire): possibly a habitational name from Bunwell in Norfolk, which is named with Old English bune ‘reed’ + wella ‘spring, stream’, or from a lost or unidentified place of similar name, perhaps in Yorkshire, such as Bonwellfelde recorded in 1548 in South Milford (Yorkshire). Alternatively, the name is possibly an Anglicized form of any of numerous places in France called Bonneville. This surname is now rare in Britain.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Bonwell in the United States?
The surname Bonwell, based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, has declined in popularity over the years. In 2000, it ranked 51,680 and slipped to 56,073 by 2010, marking an 8.5% decrease. The number of individuals bearing the surname also slightly dropped from 378 in 2000 to 365 by 2010, a decline of 3.44%. Accordingly, the proportion of Bonwells per 100,000 people in the U.S. decreased by 14.29%, from 0.14 to 0.12.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #51,680 | #56,073 | -8.5% |
| Count | 378 | 365 | -3.44% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.14 | 0.12 | -14.29% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Bonwell
Looking at the ethnic identity of Bonwells in the United States, findings from the Decennial U.S. Census show some shifting trends from 2000 to 2010. The percentage of Bonwells identifying as White fell from 84.13% to 76.16%, marking a 9.47% decrease. However, there were notable increases in the proportions identifying as Hispanic and Black. Hispanics made up 2.65% of Bonwells in 2000 and climbed to 3.56% in 2010, a rise of 34.34%. Meanwhile, Black Bonwells increased more dramatically from 10.58% to 15.89%, representing a significant 50.19% increase. The percentage of Bonwells identifying as two or more races showed a modest increase from 2.38% to 2.47%, while no Bonwells identified as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native in either census year.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 84.13% | 76.16% | -9.47% |
| Black | 10.58% | 15.89% | 50.19% |
| Hispanic | 2.65% | 3.56% | 34.34% |
| Two or More Races | 2.38% | 2.47% | 3.78% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |