Surname Bounds - Meaning and Origin

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U. Bounds

Bounds: What does the surname Bounds mean?

The surname Bounds is of English origin and is topographical, derived from an old Middle English word "bounde". It was typically used for someone who lived near a boundary, such as a border between two regions, fields, or properties. This type of surname was often given based on a person's residence or the geographic features near their dwelling. Boundaries in olden times were much more important than they are today, distinguishing clan territories, farmland divisions, and limits of jurisdictions. Therefore, the person named Bounds would have been identified with these boundary lines, signifying their locality. These boundaries would have included not just man-made divisions and territories, but also natural formations like rivers, hills, and forests.

Bounds: Where does the name Bounds come from?

The surname Bounds is of English origin. It was first found in Sussex. The name is derived from the Old English word ‘bund’, which means ‘boundary’ and was used to denote someone who lived by a boundary mark or landmark. This makes Bounds a topographic surname, which is a type of hereditary surname that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.

Records of the Bounds family date back to the 13th century in England, with one family seat in particular being established in county Sussex. There have been several notable people with the surname Bounds like Gamaliel Bailey, an American journalist and abolitionist, and Edward McKendree Bounds, an American author and prominent figure in the Methodist Church.

Today, the surname is more common in the United States, particularly in the southern states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. There is also a significant Bounds population in England. Other countries with significant numbers include Australia and Canada, albeit to a lesser extent.

Variations of the surname Bounds

The surname Bounds is mainly of English origin, often associated with a location. It has been theorized that the name either refers to a person who lived near the boundary of a village or town, derived from the Middle English "bounde", or someone who lived near a hill, from the Old English "dun". Specifically, it is believed the surname may have begun in the county of Sussex.

Given the different geographies and dialects, the surname has various spellings and variants which include Bond, Bound, Bunde, Boundy, Bounde, Bund, Boundes, Bunds, and Bounder. The assumption that the surname Bounds has a shared origin and history is true for all these variants. While Bond and Bound are more common, Bund, Boundy, and other variants are more often used in specific regions within the UK.

Please note that while they share similar letters, the surname Bounds is not related to the surnames Baun, Boun, Boon, or Beun. Also, many of the surnames have their distinct origins and histories. Differentiating between these surnames could be complex owing to the fluidity and constant change of surnames throughout history.

Please cross-check with ancestral records or a professional genealogist for a thorough and accurate lineage history.

Famous people with the name Bounds

• Ronnie Bounds: A former NASCAR driver who competed in the Busch Series from 1997 to 2001.
• Graham Bounds: A noted British author known for his work in the genre of science fiction.
• Larry Bounds: A known American inventor who holds patents in telecommunications and computer science.
• Eugenia S. Bounds: A distinguished American businesswoman and philanthropist.
• Andy Bounds: A British communication expert, speaker, and bestselling author.
• Forrest Bounds: An artist recognized for his handcrafted pottery and ceramics.
• Ben Bounds: A professional British Ice Hockey player. 8. Susan Bounds: An Oxford-based mixed media artist renowned for her work especially in glass. These are few of the famous individuals with the last name "Bounds". It should be noted though that the surname 'Bounds' is not overly common among high-profile figures. Some individuals mentioned may be more renowned within their specific fields or localities rather than widespread international fame.

Other surnames

Bound