UK surname
English surname transferred from the Latin word "benedictus", indicating a blessed person.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Bennit surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Sedgley, Dudley and Hull Holy Trinity. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Bennit is 116 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 72.9%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1851
116 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Bennit surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Bennit surname density by area, 1851 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 | 116 | #15,545 |
| 1861 | historical | 64 | #25,747 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 46 | #30,657 |
| 1901 | historical | 11 | #32,907 |
| 1911 | historical | 12 | #32,302 |
| 1997 | modern | 1 | #38,839 |
| 1998 | modern | 2 | #38,550 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2008 | modern | 3 | #38,396 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 9 | #37,654 |
| 2011 | modern | 7 | #37,865 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 8 | #37,767 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Sedgley, Dudley, Hull Holy Trinity, Yardley and St Philip and Jacob. 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 | Sedgley | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Dudley | Staffordshire |
| 3 | Hull Holy Trinity | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 4 | Yardley | Hertfordshire |
| 5 | St Philip and Jacob | Gloucestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Bennit 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 Bennit, 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 Bennit surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Bennit 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, Bennit 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 Bennit is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Bennit, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BENNIT is of English origin and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bene," which means a bean or legume. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a grower or seller of beans.
In the early days, the name was often spelled as "Benet" or "Benett." It is also possible that the name is related to the French surname "Benoit," which has a similar origin and meaning.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name BENNIT can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1199, where a certain "Robert Benet" is listed as a taxpayer. The Pipe Rolls were a record of financial transactions and payments made to the English Crown during the medieval period.
The BENNIT surname also appears in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. This indicates that the name had already established roots in the country by the late 11th century.
Notable individuals with the BENNIT surname throughout history include Sir John Bennit (1564-1628), an English lawyer and Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. Another prominent figure was William Bennit (1711-1776), a celebrated botanist and naturalist who contributed significantly to the study of plant life in the American colonies.
In the literary world, the name is associated with Elizabeth Bennit (1789-1862), an English novelist and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring the themes of social injustice and women's rights.
During the 16th century, the BENNIT family had a strong presence in the county of Berkshire, where they owned lands and estates. One notable member from this era was Sir Thomas Bennit (1523-1591), a wealthy landowner and influential figure in the local community.
Another interesting figure is Richard Bennit (1674-1743), a renowned clockmaker and inventor who is credited with developing some of the earliest designs for precision timepieces during the era of mechanical clocks.
While the BENNIT surname may have evolved from humble beginnings related to agriculture and bean cultivation, it has since been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions across various fields, from law and politics to science and literature.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Bennit 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. Cambridgeshire leads with 11 Bennits recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.58x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridgeshire | 11 | 39.58x |
| Worcestershire | 11 | 19.20x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.38x |
| Lincolnshire | 5 | 7.13x |
| Staffordshire | 5 | 3.38x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.11x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.67x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 15.75x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.23x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.53x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 1.69x |
| Perthshire | 1 | 5.08x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dudley in Worcestershire leads with 11 Bennits recorded in 1881 and an index of 157.82x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Dudley | 11 | 157.82x |
| Wisbech St Mary | 10 | 3125.00x |
| Sedgley | 5 | 90.91x |
| Binbrooke | 4 | 2352.94x |
| Kippax | 2 | 526.32x |
| Stanghow | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Attercliffe Cum Darnall | 1 | 24.69x |
| Bingham | 1 | 400.00x |
| Chatteris | 1 | 140.85x |
| Culross | 1 | 588.24x |
| Dalry | 1 | 666.67x |
| Farnborough | 1 | 454.55x |
| Garthorpe | 1 | 1250.00x |
| Heptonstall | 1 | 163.93x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 6.20x |
| Portsmouth | 1 | 48.31x |
| Tarretburn | 1 | 5000.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Bennit 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 Bennit 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 Bennit households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 15 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Ag Lab Waggoner | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant Indoor | 1 |
| Iron Miner | 1 |
| Lab | 1 |
| Maltster | 1 |
| Nailer | 1 |
| Puddler | 1 |
| Retired Publican | 1 |
| Soldier | 1 |
| Tailoress (C) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Bennit surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Bennit a modern rank of #37,278.
English surname transferred from the Latin word "benedictus", indicating a blessed person.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Bennit 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.