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![Show Contents]() Benfelt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The distinguished surname Benfelt 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 Benfelt familyThe surname Benfelt 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 Benfelt 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 Benfelt familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benfelt research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1296, 1381, 1559, 1630 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Benfelt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Benfelt Spelling VariationsBenfelt has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Benfield, Benefield, Benfeld, Benefeld, Benefiel and others. Early Notables of the Benfelt 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)...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benfelt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Benfelt familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Benfelts to arrive on North American shores: Henry Benfield, who came to Virginia in 1674; Brasil Benfield, who settled in Barbados in 1678 with his wife Rebeccah and their son Edward; Thomas Benfield, who came to Virginia in 1721.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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