Boulger

The surname Boulger is of Anglo-Norman French origin, derived from the old French word "boulengier" meaning "baker". It is believed to have been introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name was initially used as an occupational surname for those who worked as bakers, indicating their trade or profession.

The earliest recorded instance of the Boulger surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1175, where it was spelled as "Bolenger". In the 13th century, variations such as "Bolinger" and "Bolingier" were also documented in various records.

During the medieval period, the Boulger name appeared in numerous historical documents and records, including the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which listed individuals with the name in counties such as Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the Boulger surname, but it does reference several place names that may have contributed to the development of the name.

One notable early bearer of the Boulger surname was Sir John Boulger, a prominent landowner and knight who lived in the 14th century. He is recorded as holding lands in Wiltshire and Somerset during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377).

In the 16th century, the surname Boulger was found in various parts of England, with concentrations in counties such as Devon, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. During this period, a variation of the name, "Bulger", also emerged and has been used interchangeably with "Boulger" over time.

Another notable individual with the Boulger surname was Thomas Boulger, a 17th-century English clergyman and author who was born in 1620 and died in 1679. He is best known for his work "The Marrow of Divinity", which was published in 1654.

In the 18th century, the Boulger family had a presence in various parts of England, with records showing individuals bearing the name in counties such as Lincolnshire, Berkshire, and Suffolk. One prominent figure from this era was Samuel Boulger (1738-1815), a successful merchant and landowner who lived in Lincolnshire.

Moving into the 19th century, the Boulger name continued to be found throughout England, with individuals pursuing various professions and occupations. One notable example was George Simmonds Boulger (1853-1922), a British botanist and author who wrote extensively on plant life and horticulture.

Another significant figure with the Boulger surname was Demetrius Charles Boulger (1853-1928), a British historian and author who served as the President of the Royal Historical Society from 1920 to 1924. He wrote numerous books on English history and was a respected scholar in his field.