Benelli History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Italy

The distinguished surname Benelli originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Benelli came from the Italian personal name "Beno." Further research showed the name was derived from the Latin word bene which means well, in good health.

Early Origins of the Benelli family

The surname Benelli was first found in Gubbio, a city in the region of Umbria. The family can be traced back to the 10th century, when Federigo Beni of Gubbio became mayor of Mantua and eventually senator of Milan.

The name means "benign," "friendly," or "harmless." The name therefore probably originated as a nickname for a man who displayed those characteristics.

Early History of the Benelli family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benelli research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1650, 1660, 1684, 1780, 1784, 1787 and 1877 are included under the topic Early Benelli History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benelli Spelling Variations

In comparison with other European surnames, Italian surnames have a surprising number of forms. They reflect the regional variations and the many dialects of the Italian language, each with its own distinctive features. For example, in Northern Italy the typical Italian surname suffix is "i", whereas in Southern Italy it is "o". Additionally, spelling changes frequently occurred because medieval scribes and church officials often spelled names as they sounded rather than according to any specific spelling rules. The spelling variations in the name Benelli include Beni, Bene, Del Bene, Benelli, Benella, Benini, Benigni, Benucci, Benuzzi, Benussi, Benocci, Benozzi, Benolli, Benoli, Benotti, Benotto, Benoni, Benone, Benacci, Benassi, Benazzi, Benazzoli, Benacchio, Benaglio, Benaglia, Benanti, Benati, Benato, Bennato and many more.

Early Notables of the Benelli family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

Giacomo Beni, Bishop of Fano, and Giuseppe Beni was Bishop of Carpentras in the 18th century. The Beni family of Gubbio owned vast amounts of land and were Counts. Prominent members of the Benelli family du...

Migration of the Benelli family

Early immigration records have shown some of the first Benellis to arrive on North American shores: Abraham Beni, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727.

Contemporary Notables of the name Benelli (post 1700) +

Sem Benelli (1877-1949), Italian dramatist