Bense History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The name Bense was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from the English personal name Bennett. That name is derived from the medieval name Benedict, which comes from the Latin Benedictus, meaning blessed. It owed much of its popularity to St. Benedict, who remained famous well into the Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Bense family

The surname Bense was first found in Yorkshire where Ernisius filius Bence was first listed the Pipe Rolls of 1175. Three years later, Aernulfus flius Benze was listed in the the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1178. 1

Osmund Benz was lord of six estates in Nottinghamshire in 1066 at the time of the Conquest. By the Domesday Book of 1086, his estates had been reduce to two, both still in Nottinghamshire. 2

There may be a Norman connection as sources there show Robert and William Bence there (1180-1198) 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 list William Bence. 1

"Kentwell Hall [in Long Melford, Suffolk], the residence of the family of Bence, is a venerable structure in the ancient domestic style, and contains much old painted glass." 4

Early History of the Bense family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bense research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1622, 1659, 1676, 1683 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Bense History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bense Spelling Variations

Bense 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. Many variations of the name Bense have been found, including Bence, Bense, Benche, Bencke, Bench, Benchley and others.

Early Notables of the Bense family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bense Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bense migration to the United States +

In 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 Benses to arrive on North American shores:

Bense Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Eleanore Margarethe Clare Bense, who arrived in Galveston, Tex in 1846 5
J. C. Bense settled in San Francisco, California in 1852
Conrad Bense, aged 20, who arrived in America in 1876 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Bense (post 1700) +

Judith Ann Bense, American academic, Florida historical archaeologist, and a former president of the University of West Florida
Allan George Bense (b. 1951), American Republican politician, Golf course contractor; Member of Florida State House of Representatives 6th District, 1999-; Speaker of the Florida State House of Representatives, 2004 6
Max Bense (1910-1990), German philosopher, writer, and publicist, known for his work in philosophy of science, logic, aesthetics, and semiotics

The Bense 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: Virtus castellum meum
Motto Translation: Virtue my castle.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html