Show ContentsBensted History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Bensted family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Hampshire at Binstead, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Benestede. [1] Alternatively, the name could have originated on the Isle of Wight at Binstead which was also listed Benestede in the Domesday Book. In both occurrences, the place name means "place where beans are grown," from the Old English words "bean" + "stede." [2]

Early Origins of the Bensted family

The surname Bensted was first found in East Hampshire at Binsted, today a village and large civil parish or on the Isle of Wight at the village of Binstead. Of the two, Binsted in Hampshire is generally thought to have been the most likely origin of the surname. Conjecturally, they were descended from Hugh le Port, a Norman noble, who held the lands of Binstead from the Monks of the Bishop of Winchester at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book. They were also related to the Binsteads of Sussex, from the place of that name. Early census records revealed: John de Benstede and Maud de Bensted listed in Norfolk; and William de Benstede in Kent during the reign of Edward III. [3]

Sir John de Benstede (d. 1323?), was an English judge who accompanied Edward I to Flanders in 1297 as Keeper of the great seal

Early History of the Bensted family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bensted research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1305, 1306, 1308, 1320, 1333 and 1937 are included under the topic Early Bensted History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bensted Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Bensted has been recorded under many different variations, including Bensted, Benstead, Binstead, Benestede, Bense, Benstede and many more.

Early Notables of the Bensted family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir John de Benstede, a prominent member of the English royal household, Prebendary of Sandiacre (1297-1308?) King's Secretary and Keeper of the Great Seal and Keeper of the Wardrobe for Edward I, Ch...

Migration of the Bensted family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Bensteds were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Matthew Benstead who settled in Virginia in 1650; Jo Benstedd settled in Barbados in 1635; Thomas Binstead settled in Virginia in 1730; John Binsteed settled in Virginia in 1642.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bensted (post 1700) +

  • Alan Bensted, Professor of Law at the University of the West of England, Bristol


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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