NameCensus.

UK surname

Benns

An occupational surname denoting someone who lived near a bank or hillside.

In the 1881 census there were 279 people recorded with the Benns surname, ranking it #10,230 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 247, ranked #16,955, down from #10,230 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Beccles and Great Yarmouth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include South Hams, Wealden and Broadland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benns is 425 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 11.5%.

1881 census count

279

Ranked #10,230

Modern count

247

2016, ranked #16,955

Peak year

1911

425 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Benns had 279 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,230 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 247 in 2016, ranked #16,955.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 425 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Benns surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Benns surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Benns 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 221 #9,630
1861 historical 202 #11,906
1881 historical 279 #10,230
1891 historical 383 #9,178
1901 historical 343 #10,583
1911 historical 425 #8,877
1997 modern 286 #13,942
1998 modern 292 #14,120
1999 modern 288 #14,346
2000 modern 284 #14,457
2001 modern 288 #14,103
2002 modern 284 #14,524
2003 modern 273 #14,715
2004 modern 276 #14,684
2005 modern 267 #14,954
2006 modern 257 #15,448
2007 modern 252 #15,815
2008 modern 251 #16,026
2009 modern 255 #16,183
2010 modern 265 #16,115
2011 modern 257 #16,335
2012 modern 246 #16,702
2013 modern 238 #17,354
2014 modern 247 #17,035
2015 modern 247 #16,941
2016 modern 247 #16,955

Geography

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Where Benns' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Beccles, Great Yarmouth, Manchester and Sotterley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to South Hams, Wealden, Broadland, South Oxfordshire and Neath Port Talbot. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Beccles Suffolk
3 Great Yarmouth Norfolk
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Sotterley Suffolk

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 South Hams 011 South Hams
2 Wealden 006 Wealden
3 Broadland 004 Broadland
4 South Oxfordshire 016 South Oxfordshire
5 Neath Port Talbot 002 Neath Port Talbot

Forenames

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First names often paired with Benns

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Benns

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Benns surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Benns 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Benns is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Benns is most concentrated in decile 3 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

3
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Benns falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Benns is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 25-30 mbit/s.

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

5
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Benns

The surname BENNS originates from England, with its roots traced back to the medieval period. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "benn," which means a grassy hill or meadow. This suggests that the name was initially used to identify individuals who lived near or on a grassy hill or meadow.

In the Domesday Book, a renowned historical record compiled in 1086 on the orders of William the Conqueror, there are several entries that mention variations of the name, such as "Benne" and "Bennes." These entries indicate that the name was present in various parts of England during the Norman Conquest.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname BENNS can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1196, where a certain William Benne is mentioned. The name also appears in the Curia Regis Rolls of Lincolnshire from 1201, where a Thomas Benne is listed.

Notably, the surname BENNS is associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure is Sir John Bennes, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1573. Another prominent bearer of the name was Thomas Benne (c. 1560-1616), an English clergyman and author who wrote several religious works.

In the 17th century, James Benne (1635-1707) was a successful merchant and landowner in Virginia, United States. His descendants played a significant role in the early development of the colony and the subsequent formation of the United States.

During the 18th century, William Benns (1709-1785) was a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings, including the Rotunda at Ranelagh Gardens in London.

Another notable figure with the surname BENNS was John Bennes (1792-1863), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a Member of Parliament.

Throughout the centuries, the surname BENNS has undergone various spelling variations, such as Benne, Bennys, and Bennies, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic variations. However, the core meaning and origin of the name have remained consistent, reflecting its connection to grassy hills or meadows in England.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Benns families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benns 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. Norfolk leads with 124 Benns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 29.63x.

County Total Index
Norfolk 124 29.63x
Suffolk 64 19.31x
Essex 23 4.28x
Middlesex 23 0.85x
Warwickshire 9 1.31x
Yorkshire 9 0.33x
Dorset 8 4.48x
Surrey 7 0.53x
Kent 4 0.43x
Buckinghamshire 2 1.22x
Gloucestershire 2 0.37x
Nottinghamshire 2 0.55x
Huntingdonshire 1 1.85x
Staffordshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Beccles in Suffolk leads with 14 Benns' recorded in 1881 and an index of 262.17x.

Place Total Index
Beccles 14 262.17x
Great Yarmouth 14 40.39x
Reedham 13 1625.00x
East Ham 12 120.36x
Sotterley 12 4800.00x
Strumpshaw 10 2631.58x
Blofield 9 849.06x
Lingwood 9 2432.43x
Lowestoft 9 57.47x
Kinson 8 229.23x
North Walsham 8 264.90x
St George In East London 8 31.25x
Ormesby St Margaret W 7 666.67x
Pakefield 7 853.66x
Runham 7 833.33x
Toft Monks 7 1891.89x
Acle 6 705.88x
Caistor Next Yarmouth 6 408.16x
Dovercourt 6 317.46x
Gorleston 6 71.26x
Kirby Cane 6 1538.46x
Aston 5 2.65x
Batley 5 19.51x
Mutford 5 1351.35x
Birmingham 4 1.75x
Burgh St Margaret 4 769.23x
Hackney London 4 2.62x
Paddington London 4 4.00x
Carlton Colville 3 245.90x
Chiswick 3 20.17x
Colchester St James 3 137.61x
Cromer 3 201.34x
Ellough 3 2142.86x
Norton Subcourse 3 882.35x
Plumstead 3 9.69x
South Walsham St Mary 3 857.14x
St Giles In Fields London 3 22.47x
Stokesby With Herringby 3 967.74x
Aldringham 2 416.67x
Bermondsey 2 2.47x
Camberwell 2 1.15x
Charlton Kings 2 54.20x
Chesham Bois 2 606.06x
Clarborough 2 72.99x
Holy Trinity 2 3.08x
Newington 2 1.99x
North Cove 2 909.09x
Prittlewell 2 26.85x
Shereford 2 2500.00x
Bradwell 1 192.31x
Ellingham 1 312.50x
Handsworth 1 4.42x
Lambeth 1 0.42x
Lewisham 1 2.02x
Mautby 1 769.23x
Norland 1 54.05x
Norwich St Mary In Marsh 1 212.77x
Norwich St Michael At Plea 1 625.00x
St Ives 1 35.71x
St Paul Covent Garden 1 36.76x
Whitby 1 11.00x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 14
Emma 9
Louisa 7
Sarah 7
Hannah 5
Alice 4
Charlotte 4
Eliza 4
Elizabeth 4
Harriet 4
Lydia 4
Ann 3
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Frances 3
Gertrude 3
Jane 3
Ada 2
Beatrice 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Ellen 2
Harriett 2
Katie 2
Laura 2
Lewis 2
Maria 2
Martha 2
Minnie 2
Rose 2
Susan 2
Anna 1
Anne 1
Bessie 1
Betries 1
Blanch 1
Celia 1
Elizh. 1
Ella 1
Eve 1
Florance 1
Gatrand 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Leah 1
Lizzie 1
M. 1
Mabel 1
Margt. 1
Vivian 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 16
William 15
Charles 9
George 8
Arthur 7
Robert 7
Samuel 7
Walter 7
James 5
Edward 4
Philip 4
Daniel 3
Herbert 3
Isaac 3
Benjamin 2
Ernest 2
Harry 2
Henry 2
Phillip 2
Abraham 1
Alfred 1
Allen 1
Ambrose 1
Cecil 1
Christopher 1
Clement 1
Denny 1
Edwd. 1
Francis 1
Frederick 1
G. 1
J. 1
Joseph 1
Levia 1
Noah 1
Only 1
Robt. 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Thomas 1

FAQ

Benns surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benns surname in 1881?

In 1881, 279 people were recorded with the Benns surname. That placed it at #10,230 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benns surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 247 in 2016. That gives Benns a modern rank of #16,955.

What does the Benns surname mean?

An occupational surname denoting someone who lived near a bank or hillside.

What does the Benns map show?

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