| ![Show Contents]() Benefiel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The distinguished surname Benefiel is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the Old English words "bean," meaning "bean," and "feld," meaning "field." This name is borne by several places in England, such as Benfield in Northamptonshire, Benville Manor in Dorset, and the now-lost Benfield in Sussex. Thus, the progenitor of the surname was most likely either someone who hailed from one of these places, or someone who lived near a bean field. Early Origins of the Benefiel familyThe surname Benefiel was first found in Hertfordshire, where Goduin de Benefelle was recorded as a land-holder in the Domesday Book. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, King William granted the lands of England to the barons that had served him in the Battle of Hastings. These barons followed the Norman practice of adopting the name of their land holdings; thus, it is possible that one branch of the Benefiel family is descended from Richard, who was granted lands in the village of Benefield, East Northamptonshire. "There are two villages about a mile apart, distinguished as Upper and Lower Benefield, the road from Oundle to Great Weldon proceeding through both." 1 Early History of the Benefiel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benefiel research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1296, 1381, 1559, 1630 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Benefiel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Benefiel Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Benefiel has been spelled many different ways, including Benfield, Benefield, Benfeld, Benefeld, Benefiel and others. Early Notables of the Benefiel familyNotables of the family at this time include - Sebastian Benefield (1559-1630), English divine and professor of theology at Oxford University. He was a native of Prestbury (or Prestonbury), Gloucestershire, where he was born on 12 Aug. 1559
Benefiel RankingIn the United States, the name Benefiel is the 12,897th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2
 Benefiel migration to the United States | + |
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Benefiels to arrive in North America:
Benefiel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Eva Benefiel, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
| Contemporary Notables of the name Benefiel (post 1700) | + |
- Charles Benefiel (b. 1967), American artist
- John Benefiel (1761-1835), American politician, Delegate to Indiana State Constitutional Convention, 1816; Member of Indiana State House of Representatives, 1821-22 3
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Benefiel migration to the United States 
