This name, with variant spellings Bonally, Bonallie, Bonella and Bonello, is of Scottish locational origin from a place near Colinton in Midlothian called Bonaly. The name of the lands derives from the nickname of the Norman French nobleman who was granted possession of them subsequent to the Conquest of 1066. The component elements are the Olde French 'bon' meaning 'good', plus 'aller', to go, hence, 'good speed or farewell', a toast drunk on parting and most likely given as a nickname to one who made frequent use of this expression. The surname is first recorded in the latter half of the 16th Century, (see below). In 1641 one, John Bonallie appeared in 'The presbyterie Book of Kirkcaldie' and on December 4th 1668 James Bonall(e)y and Janet Spence were married in Edinburgh parish, Midlothian. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Bonaylay, which was dated circa 1570, 'Register of Dumfriesshire', Scotland, during the reign of King James VI of Great Britain, 1567 - 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.

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