Show ContentsBeenham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Beenham Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Beenham

What does the name Beenham mean?

The ancestry of the name Beenham dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Benham (now Benham-Valence) Berkshire, England. 1 2 Alternatively, the name could have originated in Benhams in Horsham, Sussex. 3

However, one source notes the name was originally Welsh "derived from the name of an ancestor. —Ab-Eignon' (Welsh), i.e. 'the son of Eignon' or 'Ennion.' Robert ap Eignon had for his son Robert Baynham, of Chorewall, in the forest of Dean. Henceforward the family were so known. The name looks wonderfully English and local, but, as shown, is not so." 4

Early Origins of the Beenham family

The surname Beenham was first found in Northumberland, England where Euydo de Benham was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Later John de Benham was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Cadugan ap Eynon was listed in Cheshire in 1285 and later Iorworth ap Egnon was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1287. 3

Baynham Hall is a 17th century manor house located in Michaelchurch-On-Arrow, Gladestry, Powys, Wales. We do know that Hugh Lloyd purchased Baynham Hall in about 1830, but as far as who originally had the manor house built remains a mystery.

John Bankyn or Banekyne (fl. 1382), was an "Augustinian friar and opponent of Wycliffe, born in London and educated in the Augustinian monastery of that city and afterwards at Oxford, where he attained the degree of doctor of divinity. " 5

Hugh Benham or Hugo Benhyem (d. 1282), was Bishop of Aberdeen and succeeded Richard Pottock in the see in 1272. 5

To the north in Scotland, "the lands of Benholm in Angus were anciently held by a family who designated themselves 'de Benham,' from at least the beginning of the thirteenth century till towards the close of the fourteenth. Master Thomas de Bennum was rector of the schools in Aberdeen in 1262, and a relative, Hugh Bennam or Benhaym, became bishop of Aberdeen ten years after. The family of Hugh de Benhame failed in an heiress, Cristiana, who became the wife of Alan de Lundy, a cadet of the old family of that name." 6

Early History of the Beenham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beenham research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1458, 1476, 1497, 1500, 1501, 1514, 1516, 1532, 1536, 1543, 1546, 1557, 1565, 1582, 1593, 1602, 1606, 1611, 1628, 1629, 1664, 1681, 1738 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Beenham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beenham Spelling Variations

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 Beenham have been found, including Baynham, Bayneham, Bainham, Banham, Banam and others.

Early Notables of the Beenham family

Thomas Baynham (d. 1500), Constable of St Briavel's Castle. His descendant, Sir Christopher Baynham (d.1557) was the first of the family to hold Clearwell, a village and former ancient manor in the Forest of Dean, West Gloucestershire. James Bainham (d. 1532), was an English martyr, who according to Foxe, was a son of Sir Alexander Bainham, who was Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1497, 1501, and 1516, though his name does not occur in any of the pedigrees of the family. James was sentenced as a relapsed heretic and burned in Smithfield on 30 April 1532. 5 Sir George Baynham (died 1546), was Sheriff...
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beenham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beenham family to Ireland

Some of the Beenham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beenham migration to Australia +

Beenham Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Beenham, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
  • John Beenham, aged 31, a constable, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Escort"
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes

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