Last Name Bonaly

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bonaly

The meaning and origin of the last name Bonaly

The surname Bonaly is primarily of French origin, derived from a place name. Specifically, it's believed to have originated from the commune of Bonnay located in the Saône-et-Loire department in eastern France. The name Bonnay itself comes from the Gallo-Roman villa named "Bonnae" or "Bonnaiacum", which was built around a Roman farmstead. Over time, as people migrated and settled in different regions, various spellings of the name emerged. In English-speaking countries, it has been recorded as Bonaly, Bonnay, and other variations. The surname Bonaly signifies an individual or family originating from this French location.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bonaly

The surname Bonaly has a predominant occurrence in Africa, particularly in Gabon, where it is one of the most common last names. It is also found in other Central African countries such as Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville due to historical migration patterns. Outside of Africa, instances of the surname Bonaly are relatively rare. There have been reported cases in France, as a result of Gabonese immigration, but it does not rank among the top French surnames. In the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, Bonaly is an uncommon name, with occurrences primarily among individuals of Gabonese descent or those with connections to Africa. The geographical distribution of Bonaly predominantly reflects its origins in Gabon and subsequent dispersal through migration.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bonaly

The surname Bonaly can have several variations and spellings due to differences in pronunciation and transcription over time and across regions. Some common spelling variations include Bounali, Bonnely, Bonnally, Bonnelle, Bonnolie, Bonnelly, and Bonnelli. These variations may arise from minor typos, regional dialects, or attempts to phonetically represent the name in different languages or scripts. It is essential to understand that these variations are still considered derivatives of the original surname Bonaly, although they may appear distinct at first glance.

Famous people with the last name Bonaly

Bonaly is an uncommon surname, and its most notable bearers are primarily associated with the field of sports, particularly ice hockey and football.

One of the most renowned individuals with the surname Bonaly is Valeri Bonalomatov, a professional ice hockey player from Estonia. He played for several teams in North America, including the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers.

Another well-known person named Bonaly is Brian Bonaly, a former French ice dancer. Alongside his skating partner, Isabelle Duchesnay, he won a bronze medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Lastly, there's Lee Bonaly, an English professional footballer who played as a striker. He played for several clubs in England, including West Ham United and Ipswich Town, before moving to Australia for the latter part of his career.

Genealogical research on the last name Bonaly

The surname Bonaly is believed to have originated from France, specifically in the region of Normandy. The name is derived from a place name meaning "good hill" or "beautiful hill." Early records show that the Bonaly family resided in the commune of Saint-Martin-de-l'If, where they were vassals to the Duke of Normandy during the 13th century. The family migrated to Scotland during the 16th and 17th centuries, where they became prominent in the Lowlands as landowners and merchants. Some branches of the Bonaly family later moved to England, Ireland, and North America, particularly to Canada and the United States. Notable individuals with this surname include Alexander Bonaly, a Scottish soldier and explorer who fought for the British Empire during the 18th century, and Thomas Bonaly, a Canadian physician and politician active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "bonaly"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 29 July 2025