Show ContentsBanstead History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Banstead family name to the British Isles. They lived in Hampshire at Binstead, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Benestede. 1 Alternatively, the name could have originated on the Isle of Wight at Binstead which was also listed Benestede in the Domesday Book. In both occurrences, the place name means "place where beans are grown," from the Old English words "bean" + "stede." 2

Early Origins of the Banstead family

The surname Banstead was first found in East Hampshire at Binsted, today a village and large civil parish or on the Isle of Wight at the village of Binstead. Of the two, Binsted in Hampshire is generally thought to have been the most likely origin of the surname. Conjecturally, they were descended from Hugh le Port, a Norman noble, who held the lands of Binstead from the Monks of the Bishop of Winchester at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book. They were also related to the Binsteads of Sussex, from the place of that name. Early census records revealed: John de Benstede and Maud de Bensted listed in Norfolk; and William de Benstede in Kent during the reign of Edward III. 3

Sir John de Benstede (d. 1323?), was an English judge who accompanied Edward I to Flanders in 1297 as Keeper of the great seal

Early History of the Banstead family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Banstead research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1305, 1306, 1308, 1320, 1333 and 1937 are included under the topic Early Banstead History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Banstead Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Bensted, Benstead, Binstead, Benestede, Bense, Benstede and many more.

Early Notables of the Banstead family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John de Benstede, a prominent member of the English royal household, Prebendary of Sandiacre (1297-1308?) King's Secretary and Keeper of the...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Banstead Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Banstead 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:

Banstead Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Banstead, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "New Era" in 1855


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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