Bothwell Surname

The Origins of the Surname Bothwell

The surname Bothwell is of Scottish origin, deriving from a place name in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Old English words "bat" and "well," which together mean "boar spring." This suggests that the name may have originally been a topographical surname for someone who lived near a spring frequented by boars.

Early Records of the Bothwell Name

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Bothwell dates back to the 12th century in Scotland. The name was first associated with the town of Bothwell in Lanarkshire, where the prominent Bothwell family held land and built a castle. The family played a significant role in Scottish history, with members serving as nobles and warriors.

In the 14th century, the surname spread to England and Ireland, as Scottish families migrated and established themselves in new territories. The Bothwell name became more widespread, with variations such as Bowell and Bogwell appearing in official documents.

Migration Patterns and Distribution of the Bothwell Name

Over time, the Bothwell surname spread to other parts of the world through immigration and migration. In the United States, the surname is most common, with approximately 3,170 individuals carrying the name. Canada has a smaller but significant number of Bothwell families, with 484 individuals bearing the name.

In the United Kingdom, the Bothwell name is most prevalent in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, with 392, 332, and 210 individuals respectively. Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland also have notable populations of individuals with the Bothwell surname, with 161, 148, and 134 individuals respectively.

Other countries with smaller populations of Bothwell families include South Africa, the Cayman Islands, Argentina, and Zimbabwe. The surname has also been found in France, Germany, Japan, and other countries, with varying levels of incidence.

Famous Individuals with the Bothwell Surname

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Bothwell have made significant contributions to various fields. One notable figure is James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, a Scottish nobleman who was married to Mary, Queen of Scots. Bothwell played a prominent role in Scottish politics and was involved in the controversy surrounding Mary's reign.

In modern times, individuals with the Bothwell surname have excelled in areas such as business, academia, and the arts. They have made a name for themselves in their respective fields, further cementing the legacy of the Bothwell name.

Conclusion

The Bothwell surname has a long and storied history, starting in Scotland and spreading to other parts of the world over time. With notable individuals carrying the name and a significant presence in various countries, the Bothwell name continues to be an important part of genealogical research and family history.

The surname Bothwell within the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it can be done to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The same occurs when it comes to Bothwell, which as you are able to corroborate, it may be stated it is a surname that can be present in all the nations for the world. In the same manner there are countries by which truly the density of people aided by the surname Bothwell is higher than far away.

The map associated with the Bothwell surname

View Bothwell surname map

The chance of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Bothwell on earth, assists us a great deal. By placing ourselves regarding the map, on a concrete nation, we could see the concrete number of people with the surname Bothwell, to obtain in this way the particular information of the many Bothwell you could currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to understand not only where the surname Bothwell arises from, but also in what manner individuals who are originally part of the household that bears the surname Bothwell have relocated and relocated. In the same manner, it is possible to see in which places they have settled and grown up, which explains why if Bothwell is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it will be possible that one of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Bothwell worldwide

  1. United States United States (3170)
  2. Canada Canada (484)
  3. England England (392)
  4. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (332)
  5. Scotland Scotland (210)
  6. Australia Australia (161)
  7. New Zealand New Zealand (148)
  8. Ireland Ireland (134)
  9. South Africa South Africa (95)
  10. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (76)
  11. Argentina Argentina (12)
  12. Wales Wales (8)
  13. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (5)
  14. France France (4)
  15. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (2)
  16. Germany Germany (2)
  17. Japan Japan (2)
  18. Qatar Qatar (1)
  19. Taiwan Taiwan (1)
  20. Yemen Yemen (1)
  21. Afghanistan Afghanistan (1)
  22. Belgium Belgium (1)
  23. Bahamas Bahamas (1)
  24. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (1)
  25. Ecuador Ecuador (1)
  26. Isle of Man Isle of Man (1)
  27. Jersey Jersey (1)
  28. South Korea South Korea (1)
  29. Monaco Monaco (1)
  30. Mauritania Mauritania (1)
  31. Malta Malta (1)
  32. Mexico Mexico (1)
  33. Namibia Namibia (1)
  34. Norway Norway (1)