Surname Bynum - Meaning and Origin
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Diving into the Historical Roots of the Bynum Surname through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Discover how the familial roots explored through a DNA analysis at iGENEA can unveil surprising historical insights. The report sheds light on my Anglo-Saxon origins, my family name 'Bynum,' and connections to my ancestry that I never expected.
C. Bynum
read moreBynum: What does the surname Bynum mean?
Bynum is an English surname with a rich history going back many centuries. Its origins are locational, stemming from Bynum Hall in the county of Northumberland in northeastern England. The name is often thought to mean "at the homestead, settlement, or hamlet," and it was likely given to those living or working in or near such a location. The name Bynum, like other English surnames, would have been adopted and passed down through generations to establish identity and lineage. Over time, it has spread across the world, carried by English settlers, immigrants, and their descendants. Notable people with the surname Bynum include former NBA player Andrew Bynum and Pentecostal televangelist Juanita Bynum. Despite the widespread use of the surname today, it remains a connection to an ancient and specific geographical origin.
Order DNA origin analysisBynum: Where does the name Bynum come from?
Bynum is an Anglo-Saxon surname that originates from England. It is derived from the Old English words "byne," meaning a manger or crib, and "ham," a home, village, or estate. Thus, the name likely began as a nickname or a place name for someone who lived by a manger or crib, or on a farm where these were abundant. Usually, individuals who carried this surname in medieval England lived near the township of Bynum in the county of Norfolk.
In current times, the surname Bynum is quite common in the United States and to a lesser extent in England. The greatest concentration of the Bynum family currently resides in the southern United States, especially in states like Texas and North Carolina. It's a less common name outside of these areas, but it can still be found worldwide due to immigration and other forms of international movement. Notable people named Bynum include the professional basketball player Andrew Bynum and religious leader and author Juanita Bynum.
Variations of the surname Bynum
The surname Bynum originally derived from an English geographical location, possibly the town of Binham in Norfolk. Throughout history, variations of spelling have naturally evolved due to factors such as literacy levels, regional dialects, and translations between languages. Some variations and spellings of the surname Bynum include: Binum, Binham, Binnam, Byneham, Bynham and Bynem.
These spelling variations often occurred even among members of the same family until the introduction of standardized spelling in the 17th century. For example, the name may appear as 'Bynum' in one census and 'Binham' in another. However, the core pronunciation and meaning remained mostly consistent throughout these spelling changes.
When researching genealogy, it is essential to consider these different variants as one person's record might exist under several variations of their surname within different historical documents. This also applies to handwritten records where the transcriber may have misinterpreted the spelling.
Furthermore, similar surnames not necessarily of the same origin like 'Bynam', 'Bynan', 'Byron', or 'Bunyan' are often confused or misspelled as 'Bynum'. These names, though phonetically similar, are derived from different linguistic roots or regions.
Famous people with the name Bynum
- Andrew Bynum: An American former professional basketball player who won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Juanita Bynum: An American Pentecostal televangelist, author, actress, and gospel singer.
- Will Bynum: An American professional basketball player known for playing in the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association.
- Thomas Bynum: Noted historian and academic specializing in African American and 20th-century U.S. history.
- Jessica Bynum: A reality television personality most known for her appearances on HGTV's "Beach Flip".
- John Bynum: An American professional basketball player, who played in various international leagues.
- Brice Bynum: The fictional character in the movie “Leap of Faith” portrayed by actor Liam Neeson.
- Henry Bynum: An American jazz drummer associated with the hard bop scene.
- Bart Bynum: A former American football quarterback who played for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
- Phillip Bynum: An American actor known for his roles in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and the film “Shadow Hours”.