Bentle Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Bentle surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in one of the many places called Bentley. These included parishes in the counties of Suffolk, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Derby, and Essex, as well as a myriad of small hamlets throughout the counties of England. The surname is derived from Benet-legh which literally means the field of Benedict. Alternatively the name could have come from "Bentley (clearing overgrown with bent grass.)" 1

Early Origins of the Bentle family

The surname Bentle was first found in various parishes throughout England including Suffolk, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, and Essex. 2

The Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire listed William de Benetega in 1176 and William de Benteley was later listed in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire in 1316-1317, 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 including some of the first mentions of the family: John de Bentelege, Derbyshire; and Roger de Benetlye, Yorkshire.

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Alicia de Benteley; and Ricardus de Benteley, "carpentar." 2

Early History of the Bentle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bentle research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1646, 1649, 1652, 1662, 1692, 1693, 1742 and 1896 are included under the topic Early Bentle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bentle Spelling Variations

Before 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 Bentle include Bentley, Bentli, Bentlie, Bently and others.

Early Notables of the Bentle family

Distinguished members of the family include

Richard Bentley (1662-1742), an English theologian, classical scholar and critic. He was the son of Thomas Bentley by his second wife, Sarah Willie, and was born on 27 Jan. 1662 at Oulton, in the pari...
Thomas Bentley (1693?-1742), was an English classical scholar, son of James Bentley (the eldest son of Thomas Bentley of Woodlesford, half-brother to Dr. Richard Bentley), was born either late in 1692...

Migration of the Bentle family to Ireland

Some of the Bentle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bentle migration to Canada +

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:

Bentle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

George Bentle, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Bentle, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. 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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)