Bonavia

Bonavia
This most interesting and unusual surname is of Italian origin, and is a variant form of a compound name composed of the Italian words "buono, bono", good and "vita" life, or "via", way, life; hence it was probably a nickname given to someone who enjoyed the "good life" or great prosperity. It is cognate with the French surname "Bonnevie" which has the same meaning, deriving from the Old French elements "bonne", good and "vi(th)e", life, and with the Portuguese surname "Boavida". The name was also bestowed as a personal name on an infant for the sake of a good omen. The surname is an example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. The nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of characteristics such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, including supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition, or to habits of dress and occupation. Felicita, daughter of Gioanni Antonio and Francesca Bonavia, was born in 1815 at Treiso, Cuneo in Italy and she married Giuseppe Capelli, also at Treiso, on November 21st 1843. Inocente Bonavia married Josefina Bosch on June 3rd 1852 at Montpeller-De-Medillan, Charente-Maritime in France. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elias Bonavie, which was dated March 17th 1616, a christening witness at St. Botolph Bishopsgate, London, during the reign of King James 1st of England and V1 of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • BONAVIA (S.) — BONAVIA SANTIAGO (mort en 1759) Artiste espagnol. Son activité témoigne des progrès de l’italianisme qui suivirent, à la cour d’Espagne, le remariage de Philippe V avec Élisabeth Farnèse. Imbu des principes des meilleurs théoriciens, maître lui… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Bonavia — Bonavia, Santiago …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Bonavia, Santiago — ► (m. 1760) Pintor y arquitecto español. Trabajó en las obras del palacio de Aranjuez y en las catedrales de Toledo y Sevilla …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Carlo Bonavia — was an Italian painter known for idyllic landscape paintings, engravings and drawings. He was active from 1740 until his death in 1788. He is thought to be from Rome, but worked in Naples from about 1751 to 1788. He was trained in the Neapolitan… …   Wikipedia

  • Henry George Bonavia Hunt — (1847 1917) was the founder of the Trinity College of Music in London, one of the most prestigious international conservatoires of music and examining institutions in the world. He was a British subject born in Malta. His father, William, was… …   Wikipedia

  • Santiago Bonavía — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel (Madrid, 1739–45). Santiago Bonavía (Piacenza, 1700 – † Madrid …   Wikipedia Español

  • Grand Hotel Bonavia — (Риека,Хорватия) Категория отеля: 4 звездочный отель Адрес: Dolac 4, 51000 Риека …   Каталог отелей

  • Hostal Bonavía — (Педрола,Испания) Категория отеля: 2 звездочный отель Адрес: Carretera N 232, Km 271,200, 50690 …   Каталог отелей

  • Hotel Castillo Bonavía — (Педрола,Испания) Категория отеля: 3 звездочный отель Адрес: Carretera Nacional, 232. K …   Каталог отелей

  • Carlo Bonavia — Tempête sur la côte rocheuse Carlo Bonavia (né à Rome mort à Naples en 1788) était un peintre italien du XVIIIe siècle. Biographie On …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”