| ![Show Contents]() Benini History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BeniniWhat does the name Benini mean? The distinguished surname Benini originated in an area of Italy, known as the Papal States. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. The most traditional type of family name found in the region of the Papal States is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name. During the Middle Ages, Italians adopted the patronymic system of name-making because it perfectly complemented the prevailing Feudal System. In Italy the popularity of patronymic type of surname is also due to the fact that during the Christian era, people often named their children after saints and biblical figures. The surname Benini came from the Italian personal name "Beno." Further research showed the name was derived from the Latin word bene which means well, in good health. Early Origins of the Benini familyThe surname Benini was first found in Gubbio, a city in the region of Umbria. The family can be traced back to the 10th century, when Federigo Beni of Gubbio became mayor of Mantua and eventually senator of Milan. The name means "benign," "friendly," or "harmless." The name therefore probably originated as a nickname for a man who displayed those characteristics. Early History of the Benini familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Benini research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1618, 1650, 1660, 1684, 1780, 1784, 1787 and 1877 are included under the topic Early Benini History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Benini Spelling VariationsSurnames that originated in Italy are characterized by an enormous number of spelling variations. Some of these are derived from regional traditions and dialects. Northern names, for instance, often end in "o", while southern names tend to end in "i". Other variations come from the fact the medieval scribes tended to spell according to the sound of words, rather than any particular set of rules. The recorded variations of Benini include Beni, Bene, Del Bene, Benelli, Benella, Benini, Benigni, Benucci, Benuzzi, Benussi, Benocci, Benozzi, Benolli, Benoli, Benotti, Benotto, Benoni, Benone, Benacci, Benassi, Benazzi, Benazzoli, Benacchio, Benaglio, Benaglia, Benanti, Benati, Benato, Bennato and many more. Early Notables of the Benini family- Signora Benini was an Italian prima donna, singing at Naples with her husband in 1784. They came to London in 1787, and sustained the first parts in comic opera. Benini had a voice of exquisite sweetn...
Migration of the Benini familyAn examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Benini arrived in North America very early: Abraham Beni, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1727.
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