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![Show Contents]() Bensfield History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The distinguished surname Bensfield is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is derived from the Old English words "bean," meaning "bean," and "feld," meaning "field." This name is borne by several places in England, such as Benfield in Northamptonshire, Benville Manor in Dorset, and the now-lost Benfield in Sussex. Thus, the progenitor of the surname was most likely either someone who hailed from one of these places, or someone who lived near a bean field. Early Origins of the Bensfield familyThe surname Bensfield was first found in Hertfordshire, where Goduin de Benefelle was recorded as a land-holder in the Domesday Book. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, King William granted the lands of England to the barons that had served him in the Battle of Hastings. These barons followed the Norman practice of adopting the name of their land holdings; thus, it is possible that one branch of the Bensfield family is descended from Richard, who was granted lands in the village of Benefield, East Northamptonshire. "There are two villages about a mile apart, distinguished as Upper and Lower Benefield, the road from Oundle to Great Weldon proceeding through both." 1 Early History of the Bensfield familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bensfield research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1296, 1381, 1559, 1630 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Bensfield History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bensfield Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bensfield are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Bensfield include: Benfield, Benefield, Benfeld, Benefeld, Benefiel and others. Early Notables of the Bensfield familyNotables of the family at this time include Sebastian Benefield (1559-1630), English divine and professor of theology at Oxford University. He was a native of Prestbury (or Prestonbury)...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bensfield Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bensfield familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bensfield or a variant listed above: Henry Benfield, who came to Virginia in 1674; Brasil Benfield, who settled in Barbados in 1678 with his wife Rebeccah and their son Edward; Thomas Benfield, who came to Virginia in 1721.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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