Bennit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The name Bennit was first used by the people of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Strathclyde Britons. Bennit is derived from the ancient Latin given name Benedictus, which means blessed.

Early Origins of the Bennit family

The surname Bennit 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 Bennit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bennit 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 Bennit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bennit Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Bennit has been spelled Bennett, Bennet, Benett, Benet and others.

Early Notables of the Bennit family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Bennett, Sheriff of London in 1594, and Lord Mayor (1603-1604); when he was knighted, he purchased the manor of Beachampton in Berkshire; W. Benett, who was the Mayor of Chester in...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bennit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bennit family to Ireland

Some of the Bennit 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.

Bennit migration to the United States +

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them:

Bennit Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Bennit, Carpenter who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 2

Bennit Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. John Bennit, aged 25, English settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Acasta" in 1827 3
Mr. Robert Bennit, aged 22, Scottish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Constitution" in 1833 3
Mr. Will Bennit, aged 24, English settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "George Clinton" in 1833 3
Miss Mary Ann Bennit, aged 23, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Columbia" in 1835 3
Miss Mary Bennit, aged 26, Irish settler who arrived at Ellis Island, New York aboard the ship "Splendid" in 1842 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bennit migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bennit Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

B. Bennit, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1922 aboard the ship "Jervis Bay" 4
Mrs. E. Bennit, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1922 aboard the ship "Jervis Bay" 4
Glayds Bennit, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1929 aboard the ship "Centaur" 4
L. Bennit, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1929 aboard the ship "Centaur" 4
Mrs. L. G. Bennit, who arrived in Fremantle, Australia in 1936 aboard the ship "Centaur" 4

Citations +

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)
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)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia Retrieved 9th February 2023. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx