Show ContentsBentelowe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Bentelowe surname lived in the county of Salop (Shropshire), where the Bentelowe family took their name from the parish of Benthall, near Much Wenlock. References to the family name in this area date back to the 12th century. Benthall Hall is a 16th century English country house is located there, a few miles from the historic Ironbridge Gorge. The Hall was built around 1580, on the site of an earlier 12th century medieval manor and manor house. It proudly retains much of its fine oak interior, and an elaborate 17th century staircase. Moreover, it is still occupied by the Benthall family, but has been owned by the National Trust since 1958. Alternatively, the name could have been derived from Benthall, a village in Northumberland about 6 kilometers south east of Bamburgh. [1]

Early Origins of the Bentelowe family

The surname Bentelowe was first found in Shropshire where Robert de Benethal was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1221. Later, again in Shropshire, Philip de Benedhal was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1255. [2]

"The Bendalls may derive their name from the Suffolk parish of Benhall. De Benedhal was a Shropshire name in the 13th century. The Bentalls are numerous in the Chelmsford district of Essex. Benhall is the name of a parish in Suffolk." [3]

Early History of the Bentelowe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bentelowe research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1221 is included under the topic Early Bentelowe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bentelowe Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bentelowe are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bentelowe include: Bendall, Bendell, Bendal, Bendel, Bendle, Bentall, Benthall and many more.

Early Notables of the Bentelowe family

More information is included under the topic Early Bentelowe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bentelowe family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bentelowe or a variant listed above: Paul Bendle who settled in Torbay, Newfoundland before 1754; Josiah Bendal, who settled in Maryland in 1775; James Bendall settled in Virginia in 1663.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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