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The ancestry of the name Benchair dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Oxfordshire. The name is thought to be descriptive of someone who lived near a bank, or an area of raised ground, and is derived from the Old English word, benche, of the same meaning, although this derivation and meaning are by no means certain. Another source claims the "surname is derived from an official title. 'the bencher,' the banker.' Very early instances of some office in legal or exchequer matters." 1
The surname Benchair was first found in Oxfordshire, where one of the first records of the family appeared in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 as Roger de Bencher. The Writs of Parliament in 1298 list Robert le Banker and John le Bancker (London) in 1300. 1
Another source claims that Cheshire is the first place of origin as Albrice le Baunker was listed there in the Feet of Fines of 1245. Later, Thomas Bankar was listed in Northumberland in 1358. 2
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benchair research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1296, 1500, 1665, 1674, 1695, 1696, 1707, 1709 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Benchair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Benchair have been found, including Bencher, Banker, Benchere, Buncher, Benchaire and many more.
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Benchair Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Benchair, or a variant listed above: William Banker who arrived in New York in 1822.