Recorded as Bynert, Bynerth, and Byneth, this is a rare and unusual surname. It is one of the few for which recordings exist but the origin is in some considerable doubt. We believe that it is possibly Scottish and locational from a place such as Bynack in Aberdeenshire, but it may equally be English and from some now 'lost' medieval village. It is estimated that at least three thousand surnames of the British Isles do originate from now 'lost' villages. Indeed it is usually only the surname which gives any public indication that such a place ever existed at all. Place names which commence 'By' do usually indicate either a meaning of 'by the' as in the village name Bygrave, or the farm (bi) on the river as in Byfleet. This surname could mean the farm to the north as in 'Bi with the Olde English word 'noth' meaning north, or the farm at the island from 'Bi atten eg', although many explanations are possible. An early example of the surname recording is that of John Byneth, who married Elizabeth Strange at St Leonards Shoreditch in the city of London, on March 23rd 1853.

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