Bentsen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Bentsen is a patronymic name, derived from the Germanic personal name Bertold. The name Bertold is derived from the Old German words beraht, which means glowing, and told, which means ruler. The personal name therefore means "glowing ruler" and thus surname Bentsen means "son of the glowing ruler." Patronymic surnames arose from the vernacular and religious given name traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were also widespread in Germany. As a result, many typical English and French names are of Germanic origin and have cognates in other European languages.

Early Origins of the Bentsen family

The surname Bentsen was first found in Baden, where the name Bentzel contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation, and later played a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. Over time, the family branched into many houses, where they continued to play a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Bentsen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bentsen research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1717, 1732 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Bentsen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bentsen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bentzel, Bentsel, Bentzell, Bensell, Benzell, Benzel, Bennzel, Benntzel, Bantzel, Bantsel, Bantzell, Bansell, Banzell, Banzel, Bannzel, Banntzel, Baentzel, Baentsel, Baentzell, Baensell, Baensell, Baenzell, Baenzel, Baennzel, Baenntzel, Bentzal, Bantzal, Baentzal, Bentzer, Bentser, Bentzen, Bentsen, Bantzele, Bantsele, Bentzele and many more.

Early Notables of the Bentsen family

More information is included under the topic Early Bentsen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bentsen family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Johan Georg Bentzel arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729; Georg Bentzel settled in Germantown, Pa. in 1734; Henry, John and Philip Bentzell all of whom were recorded as having arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765.

Contemporary Notables of the name Bentsen (post 1700) +

William Bentsen (b. 1930), American sailor and Olympic champion
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. (1921-2006), American political leader, U.S. secretary of the treasury (1993–94) and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Kenneth Bentsen Jr. (b. 1959), American politician, former congressman from Texas, and Secretary of the Treasury
Ivar Bentsen (1876-1943), Danish architect
Beint Kristian Bentsen (1917-2003), Norwegian banker and politician for the Christian Democratic Party