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![Show Contents]() Benet History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Benet surname is derived from the Latin given name Benedictus, which means "blessed." It became a common given name throughout Europe due to the popularity of St. Benedict (c.480-550). By the 12th century, the name was found in versions derived directly from the Latin, as well as versions derived from Norman French. 1 "In the reigns of Edwards II. and III. the name is found thus modified: Fitz Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett." 1 Early Origins of the Benet familyThe surname Benet was first found in north Lancashire where a Benedictine monastery known as Furness Abbey was by founded by the Savigny monks of Normandy in 1127. Records from the 12th century show Benet as a common Baptismal name in the region, which then became a patronymic surname (Eg. Benet son of Alan). 2 There were other Benedictine monasteries in England, which also produced early instances of this surname. Magister Benet or Benedictus (d. 1226), Bishop of Rochester, "first emerges into history in connection with the struggle between William de Longchamp, bishop of Ely, chancellor and chief justice, and regent of the kingdom during the absence of Richard I in the Holy Land, and the Earl of Moreton, afterwards King John." 3 Willaston in Cheshire was home the family at early times. "Willaston Hall, an ancient brick building, was erected by the Bennett family in 1558, and continued to be their residence until a very late period." 4 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list many early spellings of the name throughout ancient England: Benedict, or Benett de Hankeston in Cambridgeshire; Beneyt Mercator in Cambridgeshire; Nicholas Beneit in Oxfordshire; and finally, Reginald filius Beneyt in Huntingdonshire. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed only one: Joanna Benet, doghter (daughter.) Another source gives a better geographical understanding of the name: "Differently derived from the early personal name of Benedict and from 'benet,' a minor order of priests. In the Hundred Rolls for Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, in the reign of Edward I, it occurs frequently in the form of Beneyt. At present it is rare or absent north of Lincolnshire and Lancashire, but is well dispersed over the rest of England, being best represented in Cornwall, Derbyshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Notts, etc. It is singular that Bennetts is for the most part confined to Cornwall, the combination of the two varieties of the name placing this county at the head of the list." 5 This latter source was published in 1890 so the reader needs to bear that in mind that the regional distribution was at that time and has likely changed in today's era. Early History of the Benet familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benet research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1208, 1250, 1301, 1327, 1594, 1597, 1599, 1601, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1609, 1614, 1616, 1618, 1619, 1628, 1631, 1652, 1653, 1660, 1661, 1663, 1667, 1673, 1675, 1683, 1685, 1693, 1695, 1701, 1786, 1809 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Benet History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Benet Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Benet include Bennett, Bennet, Benett, Benet and others. Early Notables of the Benet familyNotables of the family at this time include - W. Benett, Mayor of Chester in 1652
Benet RankingIn France, the name Benet is the 3,349th most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 6  Migration of the Benet family to Ireland
Some of the Benet family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Benet migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Benet Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- William Benet, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Seaflower" 7
- Samuel Benet, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1682 7
- Edmund Benet, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 7
Benet Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Godfry Benet, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 7
Benet Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Louis Benet, aged 23, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 7
- J Benet, aged 12, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1858 7
- Jose Benet, who landed in Puerto Rico in 1860 7
| Benet migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Benet Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century- Etienne Benet, who settled in Montreal in 1666
| Contemporary Notables of the name Benet (post 1700) | + |
- Eric Benét (b. 1966), American R&B and gospel singer
- William Rose Benét (1886-1950), American poet (brother of Stephen) awarded the 1942 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
- Stephen Vincent Benét (1898-1943), American poet awarded the 1929 and 1944 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry
- William Benet, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 30th District, 1982 8
- Edward S. Benet, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Matanzas, 1938-43 8
- Christie Benet (1879-1951), American Democratic Party politician, Solicitor, 5th Circuit, 1908-09; U.S. Senator from South Carolina, 1918 8
- Josep Maria Benet i Jornet (1940-2020), Catalan playwright and screenwriter; he died from COVID-19
- Benet Alan Hytner KC (1927-2023), English barrister and jurist, Judge of Appeal of the Isle of Man, Head of the Byrom Street Chambers in Manchester
- Benet Rossell i Sanuy (1937-2016), Spanish Catalan artist
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: De bon vouloir servir le roy
Motto Translation: To serve the king with right good will.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Benet migration to the United States 
Benet migration to Canada 
England
Italy
Scotland
Ireland
