Show ContentsBenzinger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the Benzinger family name begins in the German province of Bavaria. Benzinger is a nickname surname, a class of German names derived from eke-names, or added names, that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Benzinger is a name for a small, round man. The surname Benzinger is derived from the Alemannic or Swiss dialect word bunz, which means both little barrel or small man. The surname is also a derivative of the word bunze, which is the name for an oak wine-cask. Benzinger is also an Anglicized form of the German surname Bunzli or Bünzli, which are variant forms of the Old German given name of Buno, which is a Frisian name of uncertain etymological origin.

Early Origins of the Benzinger family

The surname Benzinger was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bunzinger was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Benzinger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benzinger research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benzinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benzinger Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Benzinger include Bunzinger, Bunzzinger, Bunzingger, Bunnzinger, Bunsinger, Bunnsinger, Bunsingger, Buenzinger, Buenzzinger, Buenzingger, Buennzinger, Buensinger, Buennsinger, Buensingger, Bonzinger, Bonzzinger, Bonzingger, Bonnzinger, Bonsinger, Bonnsinger, Bonsingger, Boenzinger, Boenzzinger, Boensinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boenazinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boensinger, Boennsinger and many more.

Early Notables of the Benzinger family

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


United States Benzinger migration to the United States +

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Benzinger surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Benzinger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Michael Benzinger, aged 54, who landed in New York in 1854 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Benzinger (post 1700) +



  1. 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)


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