Find out how popular the last name Bonds is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bonds.

Bonds, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bonds surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bonds in America

Bonds is the 2643rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bonds surname appeared 13,620 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 5 people would have the surname Bonds.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bonds to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bonds

The surname Bonds has its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bonda," which referred to a peasant or tenant farmer who was bound to the land they cultivated. In some cases, the name may have also been given to someone who worked as a bondsman, responsible for delivering summonses or apprehending individuals.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Bonda" in the county of Norfolk. This document, commissioned by William the Conqueror, served as a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation in England.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, variations of the name emerged, such as "Bonde," "Bund," and "Bound." These spellings were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of scribes who recorded them.

In the 15th century, the surname took on its more modern spelling of "Bonds." This form can be found in various historical records, including parish registers and court documents from that time period.

One notable early bearer of the name was John Bonds, a merchant and alderman in the city of London who lived in the late 15th century. He was a prominent figure in the city's government and played a role in the negotiations between King Henry VII and the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.

Another individual of historical significance was Thomas Bonds, a Puritan minister born in 1563 in Suffolk, England. He was a leading figure in the Puritan movement and authored several theological works before his death in 1639.

In the 17th century, the name Bonds appeared in various parts of England, including the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Staffordshire. Some of these bearers may have been connected to the village of Bond's Hill in Worcestershire, which likely derived its name from an early resident with the surname.

One notable example from this period is Sir Thomas Bonds, a member of the English gentry who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He served as a Member of Parliament and was knighted by King James I in 1603.

Moving into the 18th century, the Bonds surname continued to be well-represented in various regions of England. William Bonds, born in 1675 in Gloucestershire, was a notable figure in the Church of England and served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1717 until his death in 1735.

As the centuries progressed, the Bonds surname spread to other parts of the world, carried by individuals who emigrated from England. Today, it can be found in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bonds

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bonds.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bonds was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bonds has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bonds was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bonds, please contact us.

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