NameCensus.

UK surname

Benett

An occupational surname derived from the Old French term "bene" meaning "peasant" or "dweller".

In the 1881 census there were 246 people recorded with the Benett surname, ranking it #11,201 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 99, ranked #31,358, down from #11,201 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, St Pancras and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Camden, Manchester and Fylde.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benett is 515 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 59.8%.

1881 census count

246

Ranked #11,201

Modern count

99

2016, ranked #31,358

Peak year

1861

515 bearers

Map years

5

1851 to 1911

Key insights

  • Benett had 246 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,201 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 99 in 2016, ranked #31,358.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 515 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Benett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Benett surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Benett 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 323 #7,198
1861 historical 515 #5,083
1881 historical 246 #11,201
1891 historical 346 #9,920
1901 historical 79 #25,363
1911 historical 269 #12,300
1997 modern 93 #27,932
1998 modern 72 #30,775
1999 modern 73 #30,856
2000 modern 81 #30,036
2001 modern 72 #30,813
2002 modern 72 #31,269
2003 modern 83 #30,088
2004 modern 82 #30,468
2005 modern 85 #30,219
2006 modern 80 #31,149
2007 modern 86 #30,808
2008 modern 83 #31,483
2009 modern 93 #30,682
2010 modern 106 #29,305
2011 modern 108 #28,811
2012 modern 102 #29,902
2013 modern 101 #30,591
2014 modern 99 #31,186
2015 modern 95 #31,749
2016 modern 99 #31,358

Geography

Back to top

Where Benetts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, St Pancras, London parishes, Bedwelty and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Camden, Manchester, Fylde, Greenwich and Westminster. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 St Pancras London (North Districts)
3 London parishes London 3
4 Bedwelty Monmouthshire
5 St Giles Camberwell London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Camden 001 Camden
2 Manchester 033 Manchester
3 Fylde 009 Fylde
4 Greenwich 021 Greenwich
5 Westminster 022 Westminster

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Benett

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

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Benett

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Benett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Benett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Benett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Benett 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

Benett 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 Benett 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Benett

The surname Benett has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a variant spelling of the French name "Bennett," which itself is derived from the medieval personal name "Beneyt" or "Benet." These names, in turn, can be traced back to the Latin name "Benedictus," meaning "blessed."

The earliest recorded instances of the Benett surname can be found in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 mention a Robert Benet in Norfolk, while the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1327 list a John Benet.

One notable historical figure with the Benett surname was Sir John Benett (c. 1553-1627), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire. He was also the builder of the grand Wilton House in Wiltshire.

Another prominent individual was Richard Benett (1605-1677), an English landowner and Parliamentarian during the English Civil War. He was a staunch supporter of the Parliamentary cause and played a role in the defense of Taunton during the conflict.

In the 18th century, John Benett (1714-1775) was a notable English clergyman and author. He served as the Dean of Windsor and published several works on theological and philosophical topics.

The Benett surname has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Benett Street and Benett's Court in London, as well as Benett's Hill in Berkshire.

Throughout history, the spelling of the surname has varied, with variations such as Benet, Benett, Bennett, and Bennitt being recorded in various documents and records.

While the surname Benett is not as common as its variant spellings, it has a rich history and has been borne by notable individuals across various fields, from politics and landowners to clergymen and authors.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Benett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benett 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 31 Benetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.13x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 31 1.13x
Middlesex 29 1.25x
Monmouthshire 16 9.53x
Cornwall 15 5.71x
Hampshire 15 3.15x
Glamorgan 14 3.46x
Yorkshire 14 0.61x
Surrey 12 1.06x
Warwickshire 12 2.05x
Devon 11 2.28x
Shropshire 11 5.48x
Lanarkshire 8 1.07x
Essex 7 1.53x
Northamptonshire 7 3.21x
Kent 6 0.76x
Worcestershire 5 1.65x
Montgomeryshire 3 5.64x
Staffordshire 3 0.38x
Durham 2 0.29x
Northumberland 2 0.58x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.64x
Renfrewshire 2 1.11x
Wiltshire 2 0.97x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.47x
Berkshire 1 0.57x
Cheshire 1 0.20x
Cumberland 1 0.50x
Gloucestershire 1 0.22x
Herefordshire 1 1.05x
Lincolnshire 1 0.27x
Norfolk 1 0.28x
Somerset 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 15 Benetts recorded in 1881 and an index of 50.62x.

Place Total Index
Bedwellty 15 50.62x
Aston 11 6.82x
Chorley 10 64.68x
Hughley 9 10000.00x
Govan 8 4.31x
Islington London 8 3.56x
Rame 7 1029.41x
Stoke Damerel 7 20.70x
Bentworth 6 1363.64x
Camberwell 6 4.05x
Christchurch 6 58.14x
Meltham 6 167.60x
Roath 6 32.68x
Rusholme 6 81.63x
St John Near Swansea 6 120.00x
Leeds 5 3.85x
St Marylebone London 5 4.03x
Tredington 5 602.41x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 6.64x
Hammersmith London 4 6.99x
Lesnewth 4 4444.44x
South Weald 4 101.78x
Whittlebury 4 1025.64x
Worsley 4 23.56x
Bethnal Green London 3 2.97x
Bramshaw 3 500.00x
Burnley 3 12.93x
Hornsey 3 10.22x
Northampton St Giles 3 36.06x
Roborough 3 937.50x
Tenterden 3 107.53x
Burton Upon Trent 2 10.91x
Cranleigh 2 120.48x
Lambeth 2 0.99x
Madeley 2 27.21x
Middle Greenock 2 40.73x
Newcastle On Tyne St 2 11.17x
Rotherham 2 15.42x
St Clement 2 72.99x
Swansea St Thomas 2 49.26x
Walthamstow 2 12.13x
Worthen 2 2000.00x
Aberdeen Old Machar 1 2.23x
Aldbourn 1 83.33x
Barrow In Furness 1 2.67x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 4.82x
Berriew 1 68.03x
Birkenhead 1 2.45x
Birmingham 1 0.51x
Bishop Auckland 1 10.79x
Brewood Featherstone 1 666.67x
Budock 1 50.51x
Canterbury St George 1 105.26x
Chadderton 1 7.42x
Chard 1 22.08x
Chelsea London 1 1.43x
Chigwell 1 23.09x
Clapham 1 3.45x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.82x
Darlington 1 3.75x
Ecclesfield 1 5.93x
Egremont 1 20.96x
Great Grimsby 1 4.24x
Hackney London 1 0.77x
Limehouse London 1 3.92x
Mileham 1 256.41x
Milton In Gravesend 1 8.42x
Milton Lilborne 1 208.33x
Newark Upon Trent 1 8.89x
Plumstead 1 3.79x
Putney 1 9.45x
Ranskill 1 333.33x
Ross 1 26.39x
Skenfrith 1 200.00x
Speen 1 35.09x
St George Hanover Square 1 2.45x
St Just In Penwith 1 19.61x
Stroud 1 11.29x
Sunbury 1 35.84x
Wigan 1 2.60x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 15
Jane 7
Elizabeth 6
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Alice 4
Charlotte 4
Hannah 4
Sarah 4
Ellen 3
Gertrude 3
Rebecca 3
Ann 2
Constance 2
Emily 2
Kate 2
Lucy 2
Margaret 2
Martha 2
Anne 1
Annie 1
Barbara 1
Berthar 1
Blanche 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Charles 1
E.J. 1
E.M. 1
Edith 1
Etheldred 1
Fanny 1
Flora 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Francis 1
Harriet 1
Isabel 1
Jessie 1
Kezia 1
Laura 1
Lilian 1
M. 1
Mar. 1
Maria 1
Minnie 1
Rosanna 1
Selina 1
Susannah 1
Winniefred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 14
Thomas 11
John 8
George 7
James 6
Charles 5
Edward 5
Samuel 5
Arthur 4
Henry 4
Joseph 3
Albert 2
Frederick 2
Richard 2
Tom 2
Alfred 1
Annie 1
C.H. 1
Charlie 1
Colin 1
Dan 1
Denner 1
Elliot 1
Emanel 1
Evan 1
Francis 1
Gilbert 1
H. 1
H.V.F. 1
Harry 1
Henery 1
Herbert 1
Horatio 1
J. 1
Jacob 1
Jas. 1
Mark 1
Michael 1
Newton 1
Peter 1
Philip 1
Rd. 1
Reginald 1
Robert 1
Stanley 1
Stephen 1
W. 1
Willm. 1
Willm.I. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Benett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 246 people were recorded with the Benett surname. That placed it at #11,201 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 99 in 2016. That gives Benett a modern rank of #31,358.

What does the Benett surname mean?

An occupational surname derived from the Old French term "bene" meaning "peasant" or "dweller".

What does the Benett map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Benett 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.