Bengal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Bengal surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the German name Beringer. "Beringar ‘bear-spear’ [was] the name of one of the paladins in the Charlemagne romances and fairly common in England in the 12th and 13th centuries. " 1 "Beringer [was] a town in France, where a battle was fought between the French and the English." 2

The surname Bengal probably arrived in England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when the Normans imported many laborers from the continent in order to expedite their hold on England.

Early Origins of the Bengal family

The surname Bengal was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Berengerus was recorded. 3 Later, Robertus filius Beregarii was listed in English Feudal Records in Lincolnshire c. 1150 and Bengerus was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1203. Belingar was found in Dorset in 1207 and Berenger faber in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. 1

The variant Bengston "came from Bynna's homestead; one who came from Bensington (the village of the Benesingas), in Oxfordshire." 4

Early History of the Bengal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bengal research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1420, 1457, 1500, 1520, 1523, 1572, 1778, 1782, 1790, 1791 and 1827 are included under the topic Early Bengal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bengal Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bengal are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bengal include: Benger, Benyger, Beniger, Beneger, Bengar, Benniger and many more.

Early Notables of the Bengal family

Distinguished members of the family include John Benger (died c. 1457), of Pewsey, Wiltshire, an English politician, He was a Member of the Parliament of England for Great Bedwyn in 1420; Richard Benger, English Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1520-1523); and Sir Thomas Benger Master of the Revels under Queen Elizabeth I of England (ca. 1520?-1572.) Elizabeth Ogilvy Benger (1778-1827), was an English author, "born at Wells, Somerset, in 1778. Her father was in trade in that city, but left it in 1782 for Chatham to get employment in the navy, and was made...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bengal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bengal family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bengal or a variant listed above: Thomas Benger who arrived in Philadelphia in 1799 and Martin Benger in Philadelphia in 1871.

Contemporary Notables of the name Bengal (post 1700) +

Joseph Bengal Bates (1893-1965), American Democratic Party politician, Greenup County Clerk, 1922-38; U.S. Representative from Kentucky 8th District, 1938-53

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print