Show ContentsBennett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Bennett

What does the name Bennett mean?

The chronicles of the Bennett family indicate that the name was first used by the Strathclyde Britons of the Scottish/English Borderlands. Bennett is derived from the ancient Latin given name Benedictus, which means blessed.

Early Origins of the Bennett family

The surname Bennett was first found in Perthshire where "Benedictus, son of Walter de Sancto Edmundo, witnessed a charter of sale of land in Perth, 1219. Benedict the dean (decanus) witnessed the gift of the mill of Wystoun to the Hospital of Soltre in 1249. The fame of Saint Benedict (480-543) the patriarch of the Western monks made the name popular. " 1

Early History of the Bennett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bennett research. Another 235 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1200, 1249, 1250, 1300, 1402, 1459, 1527, 1563, 1588, 1594, 1603, 1604, 1652, 1743, 1793, 1795, 1797, 1822, 1836, 1872, 1883 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bennett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bennett Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Bennett has been spelled Bennett, Bennet, Benett, Benet and others.

Early Notables of the Bennett family

  • Sir Thomas Bennett, Sheriff of London in 1594, and Lord Mayor (1603-1604)
  • Charles Fox Bennett (1793-1883), English merchant and politician
  • Edward Turner Bennett (1797-1836), an English zoologist and writer
  • James Gordon Bennett, Sr. (1795-1872), first publisher of the New York Herald newspaper

Bennett World Ranking

the United States, the name Bennett is the 77th most popular surname with an estimated 246,213 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Bennett is ranked the 113rd most popular surname with an estimated 26,137 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bennett is the 31st popular surname with an estimated 686 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Bennett as 49th with 39,697 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Bennett as 66th with 4,921 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Bennett as 53rd with 78,081 people. 7 South Africa ranks Bennett as 984th with 6,948 people. 8

Migration of the Bennett family to Ireland

Some of the Bennett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 125 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bennett migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were:

Bennett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Bennett, aged 38, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Neptune" 10
  • William Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 10
  • Mary Bennett, aged 18, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Southampton" 10
  • Robert Bennett, who landed in Virginia in 1622 10
  • Samuell Bennett, aged 40, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Providence" 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Nicho Bennett, who landed in Virginia in 1700 10
  • Anne Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 10
  • Peter Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 10
  • Writ Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 10
  • Thomas Bennett, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 10
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Z Bennett, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 10
  • Uzziel Bennett, who landed in America in 1811 10
  • Obadiah Bennett, aged 25, who arrived in Maine in 1812 10
  • Reuben Bennett, aged 34, who arrived in New York in 1812 10
  • David Bennett of Rowley, Massachusetts a Physician
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Max Bennett, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 10
  • Miss Edith Jane Bennett, (b. 1879), aged 24, Cornish settler, from Newlyn, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th July 1903 en route to Ansonia, Connecticut, USA 11
  • Mr. John Bennett, (b. 1874), aged 30, Cornish miner, from St. Agnes, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 8th May 1904 en route to De Lamar, Idaho, USA 11
  • Mr. Henry Louis Bennett, (b. 1854), aged 50, American machinist returning from Falmouth, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd September 1904 en route to Pennsylvania, USA 11
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett, (b. 1856), aged 49, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Michigan, USA 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bennett migration to Canada +

Bennett Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Win Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Prisilla Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Martha Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Joseph Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1762
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bennett Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Anne Bennett, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1810
  • Francis Bennett, who landed in Canada in 1817
  • William Bennett, who arrived in Canada in 1820
  • Joel Bennett, who landed in Canada in 1828
  • James Bennett, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1830
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bennett migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet
  • Mr. George Bennett, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
  • Mr. John Bennett, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. Joseph Bennett, British settler convicted in Lincolnshire, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
  • Mr. John Bennett, (1761 - 1792), aged 29, Irish settler convicted in Armagh, Ireland in 1790, sentenced to Life for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 10
Third Fleet
  • Mr. John Bennett, (b. 1769), aged 18, English settler convicted in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 18th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 10
Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Bennett, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Bennett Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Miss Annie H Bennett, (b. 1887), aged 24, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Oswestry Grange" arriving in Queensland, Australia on 12th March 1911 17

Bennett 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:

Bennett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • George Bennett, aged 25, a seaman, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cuba" in 1840
  • John Bennett, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cuba" in 1840
  • Geo White Bennett, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Cuba
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bennett (post 1700) +

  • Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett (1870-1947), 1st Viscount Bennett, Canadian politician, lawyer, businessperson, politician, and philanthropist, 11th Prime Minister of Canada (1930-1935)
  • Donald William Bennett (1927-2025), American major general in the United States Air Force, Commander, Twenty-Second Air Force, Military Airlift Command
  • Pearl L Bennett (1921-1971), American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Catherine Bennett (b. 1920), Canadian pitcher who played from 1943 through 1944 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
  • Thomas Wesley Bennett (1936-2024), American politician
  • Robert Stephen Bennett III (1939-2023), American attorney and senior counsel to Bennett LoCicero & Liu LLP, best known for representing President Bill Clinton during the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal
  • Tony Bennett (1926-2013), American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, recipient of 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, perhaps best known for his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"
  • Scott Michael Bennett (1977-2022), American politician and Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 52nd district from 2015 to 2022
  • David Bennett Sr. (1964-2022), American first patient to undergo a xenotransplantation with a genetically modified pig heart, he survived from January 7th to March 8th, 2022
  • ... (Another 62 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. David John Bennett (1959-1979), New Zealander Senior Flight Steward, from Auckland, New Zealand working aboard the Air New Zealand sightseeing Flight 901 when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 18
  • Page Bennett (b. 1822), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Charlotte Bennett (b. 1825), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Samuel Bennett (b. 1823), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Elizabeth Bennett (b. 1822), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • ... (Another 30 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. 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)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  9. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  10. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/canada
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
  17. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  18. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx

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