Surname Bonilla - Meaning and Origin
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Shocked by Iberian Roots: My Unexpected Journey with iGENEA DNA Test on Surname Bonilla
Having a thirst for learning my family origin led me to the iGENEA DNA test. The journey twists and turns that the DNA secrets unveiled were unexpected and surprising. Whilst I was fully prepared to discover roots that were primarily of British origin, I was excitingly startled to unearth connections with the Iberian Peninsula, the area encompassing today’s Spain and Portugal.
T. Bonilla
read moreBonilla: What does the surname Bonilla mean?
The last name Bonilla is of Spanish origin and is translated to mean “good” or “pretty”. It is derived from the Latin word “bonus” and may have been a nickname for someone who was particularly well-liked or admired in some way. The Bonilla surname is widespread across the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Latin America. It is also found in considerable numbers in Spain, and can be found distributed throughout the United States, particularly in areas such as Texas, New Mexico, California and Florida.
The name generally indicates a family that is part of a larger cultural heritage, the histories and customs of which are still strongly held in places like Latin America. Typically, the Bonillas are believed to have come from Mallorca or one of the other Balearic Islands in Spain, which were colonized by the crown during the 9th century; however, there are also families in South American countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil who also share the name.
The name has also been associated with exceptional achievements such as those of General Vicente Bonilla, a Mexican military officer who fought in the country’s War of Independence in the early 19th century, and Jose Bonilla, a Uruguayan statesman who was appointed president of his country in 1837. In modern times, some famous Bonillas include the Cuban singer Miguel Bonilla, the Brazilian actor and dancer Margareth Bonilla, and the Spanish journalist Alberto Bonilla.
Although originally a name with a hereditary meaning, it could be said that the Bonillas of today are rather a family of achievers and distinguished citizens. They remind us of the meaning of the name, for good or pretty is indeed what they have brought to the world.
Order DNA origin analysisBonilla: Where does the name Bonilla come from?
The last name Bonilla is most common today in countries from the Latin American region, such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. For example, in Mexico, it is most popular in the states of Durango, Zacatecas, Jalisco, and Aguascalientes.
In the United States, the last name Bonilla is mostly found in states with large Hispanic communities like California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Bonilla is usually a shortened version of the original Spanish last name "de Bonilla".
In Spain, the Bonilla last name originates from the Bonilla de la Sierra region in Burgos province in northern Spain. The area was first surrounded by local settlements in 880 and was chosen by the Castilian King Alfonso VIII to be the site of a new castle. The descendants of the people who lived there took on the name "de Bonilla" or "Bonilla". It was later shortened to just Bonilla.
Bonilla is a common surname found in many Hispanic countries and in the United States, meaning that it has been passed down through many generations. It's also a reminder of the people who lived in the region of Bonilla de la Sierra centuries ago who have shaped our present days.
Variations of the surname Bonilla
The surname Bonilla is of Spanish origin with multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include Bonylla, Bonylle, Bonilly, Bonily, Bonile and Bonylee. Additionally, Bonila, Bonell, Bonelly, Bonelly and Bonalle are less commonly seen.
Variations of the surname across European countries include Bonilla, Bonillos, Bonillet and Bonili in France, Buonilla and Bonillano in Italy, Bonillos and Bonillaes in Portugal and Bonillas and Bonillar in Spain. In Latin America, a few more variations exist such as Bonil, Bonilts, Bonel, Bonela, Boneli and Bonelas in Venezuela, Bonill in Costa Rica, Bolivia and Ecuador, Bonillo and Bonilla in Nicaragua, Bonillos in Panama, Bonili and Bonilla in Argentina, and Bonnell in Honduras.
In the United States, common surnames with similar origins include Bonaniel and Byoneill, as well as Bonye, Van Bonye, Bonai, Boriny, Boyney, Bonnay, Banay, Bonay, Bony and Benay.
As the Bonilla surname continues to spread around the world, variations of the name will likely continue to pop up, especially in countries that have multiple dialects and languages.
Famous people with the name Bonilla
- Felix Bonilla: Puerto Rican baseball player who was the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball.
- Bobby Bonilla: Venezuelan-American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman who played from 1986 to 2001.
- Luis Bonilla: Cuban-American jazz trombonist, composer and arranger.
- Francisco Bonilla: Chilean figure skater, who is the 2014 South American champion.
- Armando Bonilla: Venezuelan football coach, six-time Bolivarian Games champion.
- Robert Bonilla: Salvadoran footballer who currently plays for Sonsonate.
- George Bonilla: Ecuadorian/Argentine actor, journalist and broadcaster.
- Dolores Bonilla: Mexican film director and screenwriter whose films have been screened in several international film festivals.
- Marlene Bonilla: Salvadoran singer and actress.
- Jose Bonilla: Honduran football manager and former player who is the current manager of Honduran club side Club Deportivo Marathón.