NameCensus.

UK surname

Bonello

A surname of Italian origin meaning "beautiful; handsome".

In the 1881 census there were 16 people recorded with the Bonello surname, ranking it #31,301 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 155, ranked #23,197, up from #31,301 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Reading and Bournemouth.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bonello is 169 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 868.8%.

1881 census count

16

Ranked #31,301

Modern count

155

2016, ranked #23,197

Peak year

2010

169 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Bonello had 16 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,301 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016, ranked #23,197.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 22 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Bonello surname distribution map

The map shows where the Bonello surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Bonello surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Bonello over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 11 #31,309
1861 historical 22 #31,140
1881 historical 16 #31,301
1891 historical 12 #33,181
1901 historical 15 #32,383
1911 historical 1 #34,332
1997 modern 135 #22,499
1998 modern 145 #22,139
1999 modern 146 #22,202
2000 modern 142 #22,544
2001 modern 148 #21,664
2002 modern 141 #22,794
2003 modern 148 #21,866
2004 modern 145 #22,289
2005 modern 142 #22,577
2006 modern 145 #22,420
2007 modern 148 #22,406
2008 modern 148 #22,627
2009 modern 163 #21,715
2010 modern 169 #21,652
2011 modern 156 #22,690
2012 modern 151 #23,166
2013 modern 158 #22,817
2014 modern 156 #23,231
2015 modern 153 #23,413
2016 modern 155 #23,197

Geography

Back to top

Where Bonellos are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merton, Reading, Bournemouth, Harlow and Dartford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merton 010 Merton
2 Reading 001 Reading
3 Bournemouth 013 Bournemouth
4 Harlow 008 Harlow
5 Dartford 002 Dartford

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Bonello

These lists show first names that appear often with the Bonello surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Bonello

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bonello, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Bonello surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Bonello household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Bonello is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Bonello is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Bonello falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bonello is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Bonello, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Bonello

The surname Bonello has its origins in Malta, a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word "bonus," which means "good" or "excellent." The name likely emerged during the Middle Ages, when surnames began to be adopted and passed down from generation to generation.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bonello can be found in the 16th century, when it appeared in various Maltese parish records and official documents. It is thought to have been originally associated with a specific place or locality within Malta, as many surnames during that time were derived from geographic names.

During the rule of the Order of St. John in Malta, which lasted from the 16th to the 18th century, the name Bonello gained prominence. Several individuals bearing this surname held important positions within the Order or played significant roles in the island's history. One notable figure was Nicolo Bonello, a Maltese knight who served as the Grand Prior of the Order in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Bonello appeared in the records of the Università, the governing body of Malta at the time. This suggests that individuals with this surname were involved in the island's administration and governance during that period.

As the centuries passed, the Bonello family continued to be influential in various aspects of Maltese society. In the late 19th century, Fortunato Bonello (1837-1914) was a renowned Maltese lawyer and politician who served as Prime Minister of Malta from 1892 to 1897.

Another notable individual with the surname Bonello was Giuseppe Bonello (1891-1965), a Maltese artist and sculptor who gained recognition for his works depicting religious and historical themes. His sculptures can be found in various churches and public spaces throughout Malta.

In the field of literature, Guze Bonello (1907-1976) was a prominent Maltese writer and poet who made significant contributions to the Maltese language and cultural heritage. His works explored themes of national identity, history, and the Maltese experience.

While the surname Bonello is most commonly associated with Malta, it has also spread to other parts of the world due to migration and settlement patterns. Over the centuries, individuals with this surname have established themselves in various countries, carrying with them the rich history and cultural traditions of their Maltese heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Bonello families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bonello surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Fife leads with 7 Bonellos recorded in 1881 and an index of 67.37x.

County Total Index
Fife 7 67.37x
Clackmannanshire 5 344.83x
Nottinghamshire 4 16.90x
Royal Navy 2 95.69x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cupar in Fife leads with 7 Bonellos recorded in 1881 and an index of 1555.56x.

Place Total Index
Cupar 7 1555.56x
Alloa 5 714.29x
Newark Upon Trent 4 470.59x
Royal Navy 2 111.73x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bonello surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alice 1
Anne 1
Sarah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bonello surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Domenico 1
John 1
Vinceno 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bonello households.

Occupation Count
Bandn 1
Bandsman 1
Boiler Maker 1

FAQ

Bonello surname: questions and answers

How common was the Bonello surname in 1881?

In 1881, 16 people were recorded with the Bonello surname. That placed it at #31,301 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Bonello surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 155 in 2016. That gives Bonello a modern rank of #23,197.

What does the Bonello surname mean?

A surname of Italian origin meaning "beautiful; handsome".

What does the Bonello map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bonello bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.