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The history of the Bensinger family name begins in the German province of Bavaria. Bensinger is a nickname surname, a class of German names derived from eke-names, or added names, that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Bensinger is a name for a small, round man. The surname Bensinger is derived from the Alemannic or Swiss dialect word bunz, which means both little barrel or small man. The surname is also a derivative of the word bunze, which is the name for an oak wine-cask. Bensinger is also an Anglicized form of the German surname Bunzli or Bünzli, which are variant forms of the Old German given name of Buno, which is a Frisian name of uncertain etymological origin.
The surname Bensinger was first found in Bavaria, where the name Bunzinger 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 many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bensinger research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bensinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Bensinger include Bunzinger, Bunzzinger, Bunzingger, Bunnzinger, Bunsinger, Bunnsinger, Bunsingger, Buenzinger, Buenzzinger, Buenzingger, Buennzinger, Buensinger, Buennsinger, Buensingger, Bonzinger, Bonzzinger, Bonzingger, Bonnzinger, Bonsinger, Bonnsinger, Bonsingger, Boenzinger, Boenzzinger, Boensinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boenazinger, Boenzzinger, Boenzingger, Boennzinger, Boensinger, Boennsinger and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Bensinger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Bensingers to arrive in North America, and among them were: