Show ContentsBinsely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Binsely is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Binsely family lived in Norfolk and Suffolk. The name is derived from an Old Norse phrase which means an area where beans were grown.

Early Origins of the Binsely family

The surname Binsely was first found in Norfolk and Suffolk, where they had been granted lands by King William after the Norman Conquest in 1066. They are descended from Benzelius, Archbishop of Upsal in the Viking kingdom of Sweden. Benzelinus accompanied William Conqueror into England. There are now 28 different forms of spelling of this name. 1

Early History of the Binsely family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Binsely research. Another 36 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1548 is included under the topic Early Binsely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Binsely Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Binsely family name include Bensley, Bensely, Benseley, Benesle, Bensle, Benslie, Benslee, Benisly, Benslow, Beanslie, Binslie and many more.

Early Notables of the Binsely family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Binsely Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Binsely family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Binsely family to immigrate North America: Clement Bensley who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1813; John Bensle settled in Philadelphia in 1751.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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