UK surname
An English surname possibly derived from a nickname referring to a person's flexible or bent disposition.
In the 1881 census there were 69 people recorded with the Bendy surname, ranking it #23,816 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 62, ranked #34,227, down from #23,816 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Melksham, Isleworth and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bendy is 113 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 10.1%.
1881 census count
69
Ranked #23,816
Modern count
62
2016, ranked #34,227
Peak year
1861
113 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bendy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bendy surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 69 | #21,148 |
| 1861 | historical | 113 | #19,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 69 | #23,816 |
| 1891 | historical | 90 | #25,399 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 90 | #23,797 |
| 1997 | modern | 60 | #31,629 |
| 1998 | modern | 64 | #31,562 |
| 1999 | modern | 61 | #31,971 |
| 2000 | modern | 57 | #32,417 |
| 2001 | modern | 55 | #32,482 |
| 2002 | modern | 55 | #32,831 |
| 2003 | modern | 62 | #32,258 |
| 2004 | modern | 50 | #33,566 |
| 2005 | modern | 54 | #33,433 |
| 2006 | modern | 54 | #33,780 |
| 2007 | modern | 53 | #34,115 |
| 2008 | modern | 51 | #34,439 |
| 2009 | modern | 53 | #34,481 |
| 2010 | modern | 53 | #34,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 50 | #34,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 51 | #34,834 |
| 2014 | modern | 55 | #34,649 |
| 2015 | modern | 58 | #34,470 |
| 2016 | modern | 62 | #34,227 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Melksham, Isleworth, London parishes, St Pancras and Lyncombe and Widcombe. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melksham | Wiltshire |
| 2 | Isleworth | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Lyncombe and Widcombe | Somerset |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bendy surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Bendy, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Bendy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bendy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Bendy is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Bendy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bendy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BENDY has its origins in England, emerging during the late Middle Ages around the 14th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bendan," meaning "to bend" or "to curve," suggesting a possible occupational connection for the name's earliest bearers.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the BENDY surname appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, where a certain William Bendy is mentioned as a resident of the village of Astley. This document serves as evidence that the name was already established in the region by the early 14th century.
In the 15th century, the BENDY surname can be found in various records, such as the Court Rolls of Stratford-upon-Avon, where a John Bendy is mentioned in 1449. This suggests a potential connection between the name and the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, which was the birthplace of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare.
During the reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, the BENDY surname appears in the Muster Rolls of Leicestershire, where a Thomas Bendy is listed as a soldier in the king's army. This provides insight into the possible military ties of some BENDY individuals during that period.
One notable figure bearing the BENDY surname was Sir John Bendy (1615-1688), a wealthy merchant and landowner from Gloucestershire. He was knighted by King Charles II in recognition of his contributions to the local community and his support for the Crown during the English Civil War.
Another noteworthy individual was Elizabeth Bendy (1767-1845), a pioneering educator from Oxfordshire. She founded one of the earliest schools for girls in England and was instrumental in promoting the education of women during a time when opportunities were limited.
In the 19th century, the BENDY surname was associated with the industrial revolution in England, with several individuals working in the textile and manufacturing industries. One such person was William Bendy (1821-1894), a successful mill owner from Lancashire, who played a significant role in the development of the cotton industry in the region.
Throughout its history, the BENDY surname has also been linked to various place names and locations within England. For instance, the village of Bendy Green in Worcestershire and the hamlet of Bendy End in Buckinghamshire may have derived their names from the presence of BENDY families in those areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bendy surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 13 Bendys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.93x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 13 | 1.93x |
| Somerset | 13 | 12.00x |
| Gloucestershire | 10 | 7.58x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.44x |
| Warwickshire | 8 | 4.71x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.63x |
| Kent | 3 | 1.31x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.43x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 2.22x |
| Oxfordshire | 2 | 4.81x |
| Cornwall | 1 | 1.31x |
| Wiltshire | 1 | 1.68x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.15x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cheltenham in Gloucestershire leads with 10 Bendys recorded in 1881 and an index of 98.23x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 10 | 98.23x |
| St Pancras London | 10 | 18.46x |
| Aston | 8 | 17.12x |
| Lyncombe Widcombe | 6 | 211.27x |
| Bedford | 5 | 299.40x |
| Frome | 5 | 193.05x |
| Bermondsey | 3 | 14.97x |
| Esher | 3 | 652.17x |
| Lewisham | 3 | 24.49x |
| Chelsea London | 2 | 9.86x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 2 | 5.51x |
| Newington | 2 | 8.05x |
| Rotherfield Greys | 2 | 454.55x |
| Stoke Damerel | 2 | 20.39x |
| Calstock | 1 | 67.11x |
| Devizes St James | 1 | 126.58x |
| Midsomer Norton | 1 | 98.04x |
| Pinner | 1 | 169.49x |
| Sheffield | 1 | 4.71x |
| Walcot | 1 | 17.33x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bendy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Bendy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Bendy households.
FAQ
In 1881, 69 people were recorded with the Bendy surname. That placed it at #23,816 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 62 in 2016. That gives Bendy a modern rank of #34,227.
An English surname possibly derived from a nickname referring to a person's flexible or bent disposition.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bendy bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.