NameCensus.

UK surname

Benedict

An English surname derived from the Latin name "Benedictus," meaning "blessed" or "well-spoken."

In the 1881 census there were 66 people recorded with the Benedict surname, ranking it #24,256 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 259, ranked #16,393, up from #24,256 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Merton, Leeds and Cardiff.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benedict is 266 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 292.4%.

1881 census count

66

Ranked #24,256

Modern count

259

2016, ranked #16,393

Peak year

2014

266 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Benedict had 66 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #24,256 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016, ranked #16,393.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 89 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Benedict surname distribution map

The map shows where the Benedict surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Benedict surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Benedict over time

The 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 25 #28,853
1861 historical 47 #28,023
1881 historical 66 #24,256
1891 historical 89 #25,542
1901 historical 63 #27,134
1911 historical 82 #24,635
1997 modern 183 #18,642
1998 modern 191 #18,624
1999 modern 201 #18,179
2000 modern 183 #19,239
2001 modern 182 #19,039
2002 modern 196 #18,535
2003 modern 208 #17,685
2004 modern 220 #17,129
2005 modern 221 #17,028
2006 modern 215 #17,441
2007 modern 222 #17,288
2008 modern 227 #17,196
2009 modern 234 #17,194
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 252 #16,543
2012 modern 239 #17,027
2013 modern 253 #16,642
2014 modern 266 #16,213
2015 modern 260 #16,361
2016 modern 259 #16,393

Geography

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Where Benedicts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Merton, Leeds, Cardiff and Hackney. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Merton 015 Merton
2 Leeds 015 Leeds
3 Merton 011 Merton
4 Cardiff 010 Cardiff
5 Hackney 001 Hackney

Forenames

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First names often paired with Benedict

These lists show first names that appear often with the Benedict surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Benedict

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Benedict, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Benedict surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Benedict household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Benedict is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Benedict is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Benedict falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Benedict is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Benedict, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Benedict

The surname Benedict is derived from the Latin name Benedictus, meaning "blessed". It originated in the Late Roman period and was initially a personal name given to males.

The name first appeared in Europe during the early medieval period, particularly in areas like Italy, France, and England where Latin-based names were common. It is believed that the name became a surname during the late 11th or early 12th century as hereditary surnames started to develop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Benedict can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists several individuals with the name in various parts of England. Some of these entries include Benedictus de Buria in Suffolk and Benedictus de Asinton in Gloucestershire.

In the 12th century, the surname Benedict was also documented in France, where it was sometimes spelled as Beneit or Benoit. One notable bearer of the name during this period was the French poet and trouvère Benoît de Sainte-Maure, who lived around 1165-1173.

As the surname spread across Europe, it evolved into various regional spellings and forms, such as Benedikt in Germany, Benedetti in Italy, and Benedicto in Spain. One of the earliest recorded examples of the Italian form Benedetti is from a document dated 1279, which mentions a certain Jacobo Benedetti from Florence.

Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the surname Benedict, including:

1. St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547), the founder of the Benedictine monastic order and a patron saint of Europe. 2. Arnold Benedict (1615-1694), a German monk and theologian known for his work on church history. 3. Ruth Benedict (1887-1948), an American anthropologist and folklorist, known for her influential work on cultural relativism. 4. Dirk Benedict (born 1945), an American actor best known for his roles in the television series "Battlestar Galactica" and "The A-Team". 5. Michael Benedict (born 1948), a British actor and playwright, known for his work in theater and television.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Benedict families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benedict surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 29 Benedicts recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.80x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 29 3.80x
Surrey 18 5.74x
Middlesex 15 2.33x
Yorkshire 2 0.31x
Essex 1 0.79x
Sussex 1 0.92x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 10 Benedicts recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.03x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 10 16.03x
Newington 10 42.07x
Salford 10 44.52x
West Derby 10 44.76x
Everton 5 20.54x
Toxteth Park 4 15.47x
Camberwell 3 7.30x
Lambeth 2 3.56x
Paddington London 2 8.45x
Southwark St John 2 101.52x
St Marylebone London 2 5.82x
Chigwell 1 83.33x
Hackney London 1 2.77x
Huddersfield 1 10.76x
Hurstpierpoint 1 166.67x
Leeds 1 2.78x
Send Ripley 1 243.90x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Benedict surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 6
Maria 3
Mary 3
Sarah 3
Harriet 2
Adelaide 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Cecilia 1
Elizth. 1
Elizth.M. 1
Ellen 1
Emma 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Isabella 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Martha 1
Nancy 1
Susan 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Benedict surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Francis 5
Julius 4
Charles 2
Elias 2
Thomas 2
William 2
Edward 1
Ernest 1
George 1
Henry 1
Hugh 1
Joseph 1
Lionel 1
Percy 1
Peter 1
Samuel 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Benedict surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benedict surname in 1881?

In 1881, 66 people were recorded with the Benedict surname. That placed it at #24,256 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benedict surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 259 in 2016. That gives Benedict a modern rank of #16,393.

What does the Benedict surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Latin name "Benedictus," meaning "blessed" or "well-spoken."

What does the Benedict map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Benedict bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.