Beni History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe distinguished surname Beni originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Beni came from the Italian personal name "Beno." Further research showed the name was derived from the Latin word bene which means well, in good health. Early Origins of the Beni familyThe surname Beni was first found in Gubbio, a city in the region of Umbria. The family can be traced back to the 10th century, when Federigo Beni of Gubbio became mayor of Mantua and eventually senator of Milan. The name means "benign," "friendly," or "harmless." The name therefore probably originated as a nickname for a man who displayed those characteristics. Early History of the Beni familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beni research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1650, 1660, 1684, 1780, 1784, 1787 and 1877 are included under the topic Early Beni History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Beni Spelling VariationsItalian surnames come in far more variations than the names of most other nationalities. Regional traditions and dialects are a decisive factor in this characteristic. For example, northern names tend to end in "o", while southern in "i". Also important, but not unique to Italy, was the fact that before dictionaries and the printing press most scribes simply spelled words according to their sounds. The predictable result was an enormous number of spelling variations. The recorded spellings of Beni include Beni, Bene, Del Bene, Benelli, Benella, Benini, Benigni, Benucci, Benuzzi, Benussi, Benocci, Benozzi, Benolli, Benoli, Benotti, Benotto, Benoni, Benone, Benacci, Benassi, Benazzi, Benazzoli, Benacchio, Benaglio, Benaglia, Benanti, Benati, Benato, Bennato and many more. Early Notables of the Beni familyProminent among bearers of this family in early times was
Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Beni were among those contributors: Beni Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Beni Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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