Benelay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Benelay family

The surname Benelay was first found in Cumberland at Beanlands Park where the name is derived from the Old English word "bean" + "land," literally meaning "dweller by the land on which beans grow." 1

Beanley is township and village in Alnwick union, on a hill, 2 miles south-west from Eglingham and 1 ½ miles east from Hedgeley station on the Alnwick and Cornhill branch of the North Eastern railway in Northumberland.

The first record of the family was found in Cumberland where Edward Beanlands held a family seat in 1307. The Beanland variant was listed much later: John Beanland in Yorkshire in 1672 and Edward Beanland, a Freeman of York in 1746. 1

Early History of the Benelay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benelay research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1627 are included under the topic Early Benelay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Benelay 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 Benelay have been found, including Beanley, Beanland, Benely, Beneland, Beenland and many more.

Early Notables of the Benelay family

More information is included under the topic Early Benelay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Benelay family

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 Benelay, or a variant listed above: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)