NameCensus.

UK surname

Benjamin

A patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew given name Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south."

In the 1881 census there were 1,569 people recorded with the Benjamin surname, ranking it #2,698 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,344, ranked #1,569, up from #2,698 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Christ Church Spitalfields and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ceredigion, Conwy and Derby.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benjamin is 4,417 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 176.9%.

1881 census count

1,569

Ranked #2,698

Modern count

4,344

2016, ranked #1,569

Peak year

2010

4,417 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Benjamin had 1,569 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,698 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,344 in 2016, ranked #1,569.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,522 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Benjamin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Benjamin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Benjamin 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 1,062 #2,636
1861 historical 1,348 #2,120
1881 historical 1,569 #2,698
1891 historical 1,877 #2,454
1901 historical 2,260 #2,397
1911 historical 2,522 #2,027
1997 modern 3,662 #1,771
1998 modern 3,764 #1,790
1999 modern 3,825 #1,774
2000 modern 3,849 #1,752
2001 modern 3,745 #1,759
2002 modern 3,927 #1,725
2003 modern 3,891 #1,701
2004 modern 3,906 #1,699
2005 modern 3,895 #1,671
2006 modern 3,925 #1,658
2007 modern 4,005 #1,644
2008 modern 4,060 #1,629
2009 modern 4,209 #1,613
2010 modern 4,417 #1,570
2011 modern 4,329 #1,581
2012 modern 4,240 #1,582
2013 modern 4,390 #1,562
2014 modern 4,376 #1,582
2015 modern 4,337 #1,575
2016 modern 4,344 #1,569

Geography

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Where Benjamins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Christ Church Spitalfields, London parishes and St Mary Whitechapel. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ceredigion, Conwy, Derby, Herefordshire and Croydon. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Christ Church Spitalfields London (East Districts)
3 London parishes London 1
4 St Mary Whitechapel London (East Districts)
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ceredigion 011 Ceredigion
2 Conwy 013 Conwy
3 Derby 026 Derby
4 Herefordshire 010 Herefordshire, County of
5 Croydon 011 Croydon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Benjamin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Benjamin

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Benjamin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Benjamin 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Benjamin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Benjamin 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

Benjamin 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 Benjamin 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 Benjamin, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Benjamin

The surname Benjamin is a patronymic name derived from the Hebrew personal name "Binyamin". It originated in the ancient Israelite tribes and was initially used to refer to descendants of the biblical figure Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. The name Benjamin means "son of the right hand" or "son of the south" in Hebrew.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Benjamin can be traced back to medieval Jewish communities in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and England. It was commonly used among Ashkenazi Jewish families during this period. One of the earliest known references to the surname Benjamin is found in the 13th-century Exchequer Rolls of the Jews in England.

In the 14th century, the surname Benjamin was documented in various records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk and the Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire. During this time, variations in spelling, such as Beniamin and Benyman, were also observed.

Notable individuals with the surname Benjamin include:

1. Judah P. Benjamin (1811-1884), an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as a Senator from Louisiana, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America.

2. Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), a German Jewish philosopher, cultural critic, and essayist, best known for his work on aesthetics, modernity, and the philosophy of history.

3. Asher Benjamin (1773-1845), an American architect and author who was a prominent figure in the Federal style of architecture in the early United States.

4. Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960), an Australian composer and pianist known for his works in the light classical and popular music genres.

5. Raphael Benjamin (1836-1891), a German-born American artist and engraver, known for his engravings of portraits and historical scenes.

The surname Benjamin has also been associated with various place names, such as Benjamin's Town in South Carolina, and Benjamin's Cove in Newfoundland, Canada. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the surname Benjamin who settled or owned land in those areas.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Benjamin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benjamin 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. Middlesex leads with 512 Benjamins recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.34x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 512 3.34x
Glamorgan 166 6.22x
Cardiganshire 107 28.62x
Surrey 103 1.38x
Lancashire 77 0.42x
Kent 67 1.28x
Monmouthshire 62 5.60x
Gloucestershire 61 2.03x
Yorkshire 42 0.28x
Northamptonshire 39 2.71x
Durham 37 0.81x
Flintshire 29 7.04x
Brecknockshire 28 9.14x
Leicestershire 22 1.29x
Essex 19 0.63x
Warwickshire 19 0.49x
Wiltshire 19 1.40x
Lanarkshire 15 0.30x
Northumberland 15 0.66x
Somerset 15 0.61x
Staffordshire 15 0.29x
Hampshire 14 0.45x
Carmarthenshire 11 1.70x
Cumberland 10 0.76x
Nottinghamshire 8 0.39x
Caernarfonshire 7 1.13x
Denbighshire 7 1.21x
Herefordshire 7 1.11x
Midlothian 7 0.34x
Pembrokeshire 5 1.03x
Worcestershire 5 0.25x
Cornwall 3 0.17x
Hertfordshire 3 0.28x
Merionethshire 3 1.07x
Sussex 3 0.12x
Devon 2 0.06x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.66x
Oxfordshire 2 0.21x
Royal Navy 2 1.10x
Montgomeryshire 1 0.28x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Paddington London in Middlesex leads with 68 Benjamins recorded in 1881 and an index of 12.07x.

Place Total Index
Paddington London 68 12.07x
Mile End Old Town London 59 18.09x
Whitechapel London 54 35.75x
Shoreditch London 33 4.97x
Spitalfields London 32 27.76x
Welton 32 1245.14x
Lambeth 29 2.17x
Leeds 27 3.15x
Islington London 26 1.75x
Aberdare 25 13.65x
Clase 25 25.20x
Ystradyfodwg 25 10.68x
Camberwell 24 2.45x
Lewisham 24 8.61x
St George In East London 23 15.96x
Dalton In Furness 21 29.92x
Mile End New Town London 21 69.35x
St Marylebone London 21 2.57x
West Ham 19 2.84x
Newington 18 3.18x
Shire Newton 18 450.00x
Toxteth Park 18 2.92x
Llangunider 17 89.05x
Mynyddyslwyn 17 38.90x
Southwark St George Martyr 17 5.51x
Westminster St James 17 10.79x
Bethnal Green London 15 2.25x
Merthyr Tydfil 15 5.85x
St Pancras London 15 1.22x
Llansamlet Higher 14 70.32x
Walcot 14 10.66x
Greenwich 13 5.33x
Kensington London 13 1.53x
St George Hanover Square 13 4.81x
Wapley Codrington 13 902.78x
Bow London 12 6.15x
Cheetham 12 8.85x
Llanbadarn Fawr 12 242.42x
Minchinhampton 12 50.10x
Portsea 12 1.95x
Stranton 12 7.82x
Swansea Town 12 5.49x
Cardiff St John 11 12.62x
Cwmrheidol 11 184.56x
Govan 11 0.90x
Hope 11 53.66x
Llanbadarny Croyddin 11 476.19x
Westoe 11 4.26x
Yspytty Ystwyth 11 223.58x
Aston 10 0.94x
Deptford St Paul 10 2.48x
Lledrod Upper 10 396.83x
Bromley London 9 2.67x
Hackney London 9 1.05x
Ramsgate 9 10.54x
Wolverhampton 9 2.26x
Acton Turville 8 519.48x
Hammersmith London 8 2.12x
Michaelstone Super Ely 8 3478.26x
Willesden 8 5.54x
Ashby De La Zouch 7 17.77x
Box 7 60.55x
Bradford 7 1.90x
Cardiff St Mary 7 4.76x
Edinburgh Tron Church 7 72.77x
Elswick 7 3.85x
Garway 7 250.00x
Henllys 7 331.75x
Horsley 7 52.59x
Llanrhystyd Haminiog 7 168.67x
Minera 7 89.29x
Mold Gwernaffield 7 463.58x
Risca 7 33.52x
St Martin In Fields 7 7.63x
St Mellons 7 222.93x
Bedwellty 6 3.07x
Brecknock St John 6 23.22x
Clerkenwell London 6 1.66x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 6 3.04x
Llantrisant 6 8.92x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Benjamin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benjamin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,569 people were recorded with the Benjamin surname. That placed it at #2,698 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benjamin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,344 in 2016. That gives Benjamin a modern rank of #1,569.

What does the Benjamin surname mean?

A patronymic surname derived from the Hebrew given name Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south."

What does the Benjamin map show?

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