Bingham - The surname Bingham is traditionally considered to be of English origin. It is often thought to originate in reference to one who came from Bingham (Bynna's estate), in Nottinghamshire. The name is also sometimes thought to be derived from the word bingr - stall, manager; + ham, meaning homestead. Further thought has the name taken from the unattested clan name Binninggas or a derivative of the attested clan name Binna.
The name can be traced back to Robert de Bingham, recorded in 1273, who almost certainly came from Notts. His descendants include the Earls of Lucan. A branch of the family was established in Ireland, where they gave their name to Binghamstown in County Mayo. Sir Richard Bingham (c.1528-1599) was Marshal of Ireland. Charles Bingham (1735-1799) was created earl in 1795. The 3rd Lord Lucan, George Bingham (1800-1888), was commandeer of the calvary at Balaclava. The surname is still common in Notts, as well as in Ireland.
This Bingham family is of Irish ancestry. George Bingham was the first known member of his family to immigrate to America, arriving with his wife at New York City on the 5th of April,, 1858, aboard the ship 'Australia" which sailed from Liverpool, England.. They resided in Jo Daviess County, Illinois sometime prior to 1860, very soon if not immediately after arriving in America.
Emigration from Ireland to the United States was common and massive in the middle 1800's. Ireland was in the midst of a devastating famine from about the 1840's which caused significant economic difficulty and substantial personal ruin, sickness and death. There was an immense emigration from Ireland during this period the majority of whom came to the United States. Although the "famine years" are generally regarded as from 1846-1852, it was probably for these reasons, or for similar repressive conditions that still existed in Ireland at the time, that George and Eliza emigrated to America in 1858.
Although the surname Bingham is not very common in America there are a number of Bingham families in most states. George Bingham was the first and only known member of his direct family to settle in this country. No known relationship exists between him or his descendants and any of the other American Bingham families. Furthermore no known lineage exists between George Bingham and his Irish or possibly English ancestors. It would be safe to assume however that some relationship does exist between those of this lineage and those with the similar surname, both here and abroad.
Discrimination
At the very end of the nineteenth and during the beginning of the twentieth century Irish immigrants and Irish Americans came under increasing discrimination from other Americans. This was a time of general economic difficulty throughout the United States. Because of their size and perceived impact on these difficult times Irish immigrants were often subjects of anti-Irish racism, sometimes in violent ways.
It is interesting to note that this discrimination apparently effected George Bingham's family as well. From the time George and Eliza Bingham arrived in the United States they listed their origin(s) as Irish (census, vital records, etc). By the year 1900 however, and thereafter, England and English replaced Ireland and Irish as an ancestry. In fact Eliza Bingham is listed as English with England as a birth place on her death certificate of 1903.
Related information here.
Go here for details on early Bingham family naming traditions and customs.
Binghams