Show ContentsBennett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Bennett surname is derived from the Latin given name Benedictus, which means "blessed." It became a common given name throughout Europe due to the popularity of St. Benedict (c.480-550). By the 12th century, the name was found in versions derived directly from the Latin, as well as versions derived from Norman French. 1 "In the reigns of Edwards II. and III. the name is found thus modified: Fitz Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett." 1

Early Origins of the Bennett family

The surname Bennett was first found in north Lancashire where a Benedictine monastery known as Furness Abbey was by founded by the Savigny monks of Normandy in 1127. Records from the 12th century show Benet as a common Baptismal name in the region, which then became a patronymic surname (Eg. Benet son of Alan). 2

There were other Benedictine monasteries in England, which also produced early instances of this surname. Magister Benet or Benedictus (d. 1226), Bishop of Rochester, "first emerges into history in connection with the struggle between William de Longchamp, bishop of Ely, chancellor and chief justice, and regent of the kingdom during the absence of Richard I in the Holy Land, and the Earl of Moreton, afterwards King John." 3

Willaston in Cheshire was home the family at early times. "Willaston Hall, an ancient brick building, was erected by the Bennett family in 1558, and continued to be their residence until a very late period." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list many early spellings of the name throughout ancient England: Benedict, or Benett de Hankeston in Cambridgeshire; Beneyt Mercator in Cambridgeshire; Nicholas Beneit in Oxfordshire; and finally, Reginald filius Beneyt in Huntingdonshire. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed only one: Joanna Benet, doghter (daughter.)

Another source gives a better geographical understanding of the name: "Differently derived from the early personal name of Benedict and from 'benet,' a minor order of priests. In the Hundred Rolls for Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, in the reign of Edward I, it occurs frequently in the form of Beneyt. At present it is rare or absent north of Lincolnshire and Lancashire, but is well dispersed over the rest of England, being best represented in Cornwall, Derbyshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Notts, etc. It is singular that Bennetts is for the most part confined to Cornwall, the combination of the two varieties of the name placing this county at the head of the list." 5 This latter source was published in 1890 so the reader needs to bear that in mind that the regional distribution was at that time and has likely changed in today's era.

Early History of the Bennett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bennett research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1208, 1250, 1301, 1327, 1594, 1597, 1599, 1601, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1609, 1614, 1616, 1618, 1619, 1628, 1631, 1652, 1653, 1660, 1661, 1663, 1667, 1673, 1675, 1683, 1685, 1693, 1695, 1701, 1786, 1809 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bennett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bennett Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Bennett include Bennett, Bennet, Benett, Benet and others.

Early Notables of the Bennett family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Thomas Bennett, Sheriff of London in 1594, and Lord Mayor (1603-1604)
  • Richard Bennett (1609-1675), an English Governor of the Colony of Virginia, born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset

Bennett World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bennett is the 77th most popular surname with an estimated 246,213 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Bennett is ranked the 113rd most popular surname with an estimated 26,137 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bennett is the 31st popular surname with an estimated 686 people with that name. 8 Australia ranks Bennett as 49th with 39,697 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Bennett as 66th with 4,921 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Bennett as 53rd with 78,081 people. 11 South Africa ranks Bennett as 984th with 6,948 people. 12

Ireland Migration of the Bennett family to Ireland

Some of the Bennett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bennett migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Bennett or a variant listed above:

Bennett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Bennett, aged 38, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Neptune" 13
  • William Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 13
  • Samuell Bennett, aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Providence" 13
  • Robert Bennett, who landed in Virginia in 1622 13
  • Joane Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Providence" 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Nicho Bennett, who landed in Virginia in 1700 13
  • Anne Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
  • Peter Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 13
  • Writ Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 13
  • Thomas Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Uzziel Bennett, who landed in America in 1811 13
  • Z Bennett, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 13
  • Reuben Bennett, aged 34, who arrived in New York in 1812 13
  • Obadiah Bennett, aged 25, who arrived in Maine in 1812 13
  • David Bennett of Rowley, Massachusetts a Physician
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Max Bennett, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 13
  • Miss Edith Jane Bennett, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish settler, from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Ansonia, Connecticut, USA 14
  • Mr. John Bennett, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish miner, from St. Agnes, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th May 1904 en route to De Lamar, Idaho, USA 14
  • Mr. Henry Louis Bennett, (b. 1854), aged 50, American machinist returning from Falmouth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd September 1904 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 14
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett, (b. 1856), aged 49, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Michigan, USA 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Bennett migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bennett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Win Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Prisilla Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Martha Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Joseph Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1762
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Anne Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1810
  • Francis Bennett, who landed in Canada in 1817
  • William Bennett, who arrived in Canada in 1820
  • Joel Bennett, who landed in Canada in 1828
  • James Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Bennett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Bennett, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Bennett, (b. 1785), aged 25, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Canada" in March 1810, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1864 16
  • Mr. James Bennett, British Convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. John Bennett, (b. 1779), aged 34, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
  • Mr. William Bennett, British Convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. Robert Bennett, (b. 1801), aged 18, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Miss Annie H Bennett, (b. 1887), aged 24, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oswestry Grange" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 12th March 1911 20

New Zealand Bennett migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bennett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Geo White Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Cuba
  • John Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Thomas Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Bennett, aged 25, a seaman, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cuba" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bennett (post 1700) +

  • Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett (1870-1947), 1st Viscount Bennett, Canadian politician, lawyer, businessperson, politician, and philanthropist, 11th Prime Minister of Canada (1930-1935)
  • Thomas Wesley Bennett (1936-2024), American politician
  • Robert Stephen Bennett III (1939-2023), American attorney and senior counsel to Bennett LoCicero & Liu LLP, best known for representing President Bill Clinton during the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal
  • Tony Bennett (1926-2013), American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, perhaps best known for his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
  • Scott Michael Bennett (1977-2022), American politician and Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 52nd district from 2015 to 2022
  • David Bennett Sr. (1964-2022), American first patient to undergo a xenotransplantation with a genetically modified pig heart, he survived from January 7th to March 8th, 2022
  • Clyde Eugene Bennett (1932-2021), American professional Canadian football end who played one season in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1954
  • Fran Bennett (1937-2021), American actress, known for her works in theater and on television and her portrayal as Mother Olivia Jefferson in a re-creation of the pilot episode of The Jeffersons in Live in Front of a Studio Audience, All in the Family and The Jeffersons
  • Lerone Bennett Jr. (1928-2018), American scholar, author and social historian, best known for his book Before the Mayflower (1962)
  • Lamar Bruce Bennett Jr. (1943-2021), American college and professional football player who was a safety in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for seven seasons
  • ... (Another 53 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. David John Bennett (1959-1979), New Zealander Senior Flight Steward, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 21
Empress of Ireland
  • Mrs. Ella Mary Bennett (1865-1914), née Tuck British First Class Passenger from Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 22
Flight 191
  • Ms J Bennett (d. 1979), American passenger from USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 23
Fraterville mine
  • Mr. James F. Bennett (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
  • Mr. Conda Bennett (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
  • Mr. Charles Bennett (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 24
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. James Arthur  Bennett (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 25
Hillcrest Coal Mine
  • Mr. Fred C Bennett (1883-1914), English Bucker from England, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 26
Hillsborough disaster
  • Barry Sidney Bennett (1962-1989), English seaman who was attending the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, in Sheffield, Yorkshire when the stand allocated area became overcrowded and 96 people were crushed in what became known as the Hillsborough disaster and he died from his injuries 27
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Percival Bennett (b. 1905), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Ealing, Middlesex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
  • Mr. Ernest Bennett (b. 1919), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. John T Bennett, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. John T Bennett, British Leading Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 29
  • Mr. Peter Luddington Bennett, British Sub Lieutenant "E", who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 29
  • Mr. Arthur Christopher Joseph Bennett, British Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 29
HMS Royal Oak
  • William Alfred Baxter Bennett (1902-1939), British Chief Petty Officer Supply with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 30
Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie)
  • Lawrence Ray Bennett (1947-1988), American Pharmaceutical Chemist from Chelsea, Michigan, America, who flew aboard the Pan Am Flight 103 from Frankfurt to Detroit, known as the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and died 31
Prince of Wales colliery
  • Mr. William Bennett (b. 1857), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 32
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. William Bennett, Canadian 3rd Class passenger from Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 33
RMS Titanic
  • Mrs. Mabel Bennett, aged 30, English First Class Stewardess from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 5 34
  • Mr. George Alfred Bennett (d. 1912), aged 30, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 34
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. William Bennett (b. 1880), Welsh coal miner from Llanbradach, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Patrick Bennett, Newfoundlander from St. John's, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Earl D. Bennett, American Gunner's Mate Third Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 35
  • Mr. William Edmond Bennett Jr., American Yeoman Third Class from Illinois, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 35


The Bennett Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: De bon vouloir servir le roy
Motto Translation: To serve the king with right good will.


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  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
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  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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  13. 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)
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
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  21. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
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  23. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area
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  25. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  26. List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners
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  31. Pan Am Flight 103's victims: A list of those killed 25 years ago | syracuse.com. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/pan_am_flight_103s_victims_a_list_of_those_killed_25_years_ago.html
  32. Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
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