Benson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Benson surname is a patronymic, created from the Medieval given name Benne, which comes from the Latin word “benedictus,” which means “blessed.” Some instances of the surname may also be derived from the name of the village of Benson (Benington) in Oxfordshire (Bennesingtun in Old English). [1] [2]

While the parish dates back to ancient Roman and Saxon times, it was listed as Baenesington c. 900. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, the village was known as Besintone. [3]Literally, the place name means “estate associated with a man called Benesa,” from the Old English personal name + “ing” + “tun.” [4]

Early Origins of the Benson family

The surname Benson was first found in Oxfordshire, where a Peter de Bensinton was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1208. [5]

Henry de Benson was recorded in that same county in Oseney, in 1269. A family of the name was established from ancient times in the vicinity of Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. The Gildea, Gildee and other spellings were adopted in Ireland and are explained in more detail later.

Some of the family branched in Yorkshire in the early years as Germanus Benson was listed as holding lands there in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. [1]

Early History of the Benson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benson research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1326, 1332, 1393, 1570, 1611, 1617, 1559, 1644, 1549, 1667, 1640, 1676, 1731, 1711, 1713, 1829, 1896, 1883, 1896, 1613, 1692, 1672, 1691, 1699, 1762, 1682, 1754 and are included under the topic Early Benson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benson Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people’s names evolved. Benson has been recorded under many different variations, including Benson, Benison, Bensone, Bennison, Gildea, Gilday, Gildee, Bennsone, Bennisoun, Bennisone and many more.

Early Notables of the Benson family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include William Benson (died 1549), an English Benedictine, the last Abbot of Westminster and first Dean of Westminster; John Benson (died 1667), a London publisher, best remembered for an important publication of the Sonnets and miscellaneous poems of William Shakespeare in 1640; Robert Benson (1676-1731), English Member of Parliament, made Chancellor of the Exchequer 1711, created Lord Bingley in 1713; and Edward… 
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benson World Ranking

In the United States, the name Benson is the 331^st most popular surname with an estimated 82,071 people with that name. [6] However, in Canada, the name Benson is ranked the 741^stmost popular surname with an estimated 7,239 people with that name. [7] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Benson is the 329^th popular surname with an estimated 140 people with that name. [8] Australia ranks Benson as 459^th with 8,262 people. [9] New Zealand ranks Benson as 693^rd with 1,028 people. [10] The United Kingdom ranks Benson as 478^th with 13,493 people. [11]

 Migration of the Benson family to Ireland

Some of the Benson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 123 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Benson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Benson or a variant listed above: 

Benson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Henery Benson, aged 40, who landed in Virginia in 1620 aboard the ship “Francis Bonaventure” [12]
• Dirck Benson, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620 [12]
• Henry Benson, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 [12]
• Mr. John Benson, (Binson), aged 30 from Oxfordshire, who arrived aboard the ship “Confidence” in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Hingham [13]
• Mrs. Mary Benson, (Binson), from Oxfordshire, who arrived aboard the ship “Confidence” in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Hingham [13]
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)