Show ContentsBenne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Benne is derived from the Germanic given name Berno, which is derived from the Old German word bero, which means bear. This makes this name a patronymic surname; that is, derived from the personal name of an ancestor. Patronymic surnames arose out of the vernacular and religious given name traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were also widespread in Germany. As a result, many typical English and French names are of Germanic origin and have cognates in other European languages.

Early Origins of the Benne family

The surname Benne was first found in northern Germany, where the name 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 several houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. Chronicles first mention Ludolf Benning of Stralsund in Pomerania around 1288. In Wuerttemberg, two separate towns took on the name Benningen, although their relation to any of the branches of the family is difficult to determine.

Early History of the Benne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benne research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1745 and 1813 are included under the topic Early Benne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Benning, Benne, Benningen, Benninger, Beningene, Bennigen, Bennig, Benniger, Benigen, Benig, Beninga (East Friesland), Benningsen and many more.

Early Notables of the Benne family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Benne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Benne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Benne, who arrived in New England in 1651 1
  • James Benne, who landed in America in 1652 1
  • Richard Benne, who landed in Virginia in 1652 1
Benne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry F Benne, who landed in New York in 1824 1
  • Ludwig Benne, who arrived in Texas in 1845 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Benne (post 1700) +

  • Louis Benne, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories


  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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