Show ContentsBeneger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Beneger

What does the name Beneger mean?

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Beneger was formed. The name was derived from the German name Beringer. "Beringar ‘bear-spear’ [was] the name of one of the paladins in the Charlemagne romances and fairly common in England in the 12th and 13th centuries. " 1 "Beringer [was] a town in France, where a battle was fought between the French and the English." 2

The surname Beneger probably arrived in England shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when the Normans imported many laborers from the continent in order to expedite their hold on England.

Early Origins of the Beneger family

The surname Beneger was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Berengerus was recorded. 3 Later, Robertus filius Beregarii was listed in English Feudal Records in Lincolnshire c. 1150 and Bengerus was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1203. Belingar was found in Dorset in 1207 and Berenger faber in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. 1

The variant Bengston "came from Bynna's homestead; one who came from Bensington (the village of the Benesingas), in Oxfordshire." 4

Early History of the Beneger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beneger research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1420, 1457, 1500, 1520, 1523, 1572, 1778, 1782, 1790, 1791 and 1827 are included under the topic Early Beneger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beneger Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Beneger include Benger, Benyger, Beniger, Beneger, Bengar, Benniger and many more.

Early Notables of the Beneger family

John Benger (died c. 1457), of Pewsey, Wiltshire, an English politician, He was a Member of the Parliament of England for Great Bedwyn in 1420; Richard Benger, English Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1520-1523); and Sir Thomas Benger Master of the Revels under Queen Elizabeth I of England (ca. 1520?-1572.) Elizabeth Ogilvy Benger (1778-1827), was an English author, "born at Wells, Somerset, in 1778. Her father was in trade in that city, but left it in 1782 for Chatham to get employment in the navy, and was made purser to Admiral Lord Keith's ship...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beneger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beneger family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Beneger were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Benger who arrived in Philadelphia in 1799 and Martin Benger in Philadelphia in 1871.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print


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