UK surname
A French surname derived from the given name Benoit, meaning "blessed".
In the 1881 census there were 91 people recorded with the Benoy surname, ranking it #20,843 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 86, ranked #32,570, down from #20,843 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Harborne, St Teath and Tunbridge, Bidborough. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benoy is 144 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.5%.
1881 census count
91
Ranked #20,843
Modern count
86
2016, ranked #32,570
Peak year
1911
144 bearers
Map years
3
1891 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Benoy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Benoy surname density by area, 1911 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 | 60 | #22,584 |
| 1861 | historical | 58 | #26,585 |
| 1881 | historical | 91 | #20,843 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 122 | #20,344 |
| 1911 | historical | 144 | #18,325 |
| 1997 | modern | 83 | #29,216 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 91 | #28,937 |
| 2000 | modern | 88 | #29,284 |
| 2001 | modern | 87 | #29,161 |
| 2002 | modern | 99 | #28,082 |
| 2003 | modern | 86 | #29,752 |
| 2004 | modern | 87 | #29,897 |
| 2005 | modern | 84 | #30,359 |
| 2006 | modern | 79 | #31,263 |
| 2007 | modern | 86 | #30,808 |
| 2008 | modern | 88 | #30,857 |
| 2009 | modern | 87 | #31,489 |
| 2010 | modern | 85 | #32,185 |
| 2011 | modern | 84 | #32,237 |
| 2012 | modern | 86 | #32,297 |
| 2013 | modern | 90 | #32,146 |
| 2014 | modern | 94 | #31,909 |
| 2015 | modern | 90 | #32,245 |
| 2016 | modern | 86 | #32,570 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Harborne, St Teath, Tunbridge, Bidborough, St Stephen by Launceston and Werrington, Boyton (Northcott). 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 | Harborne | Worcestershire |
| 2 | St Teath | Cornwall |
| 3 | Tunbridge, Bidborough | Kent |
| 4 | St Stephen by Launceston | Cornwall |
| 5 | Werrington, Boyton (Northcott) | Cornwall |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Benoy 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 Benoy, 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 Benoy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Benoy 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, Benoy 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 Benoy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Benoy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BENOY has its origins in France, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "benhoit," meaning "blessed." This name was often given to children born on religious holidays or feast days, as a way of expressing the parents' gratitude and blessings.
BENOY was initially concentrated in the northern regions of France, particularly in the regions of Normandy and Picardy. The earliest known record of the name appears in the parish registers of Saint-Martin-de-Varreville, a small village in Normandy, in the year 1583, where a family by the name of BENOY is mentioned.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, as French settlers began to explore and colonize new territories, the BENOY name spread to other parts of Europe and the Americas. One notable individual was Jacques BENOY, a French explorer who accompanied Samuel de Champlain on his expeditions to the New World in the early 1600s.
In the 19th century, the BENOY name gained prominence in the United States, particularly in the state of Louisiana, where many French settlers had established communities. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in Louisiana was that of Marie BENOY, born in 1823, whose family had migrated from France.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the surname BENOY. One such individual was Pierre BENOY (1836-1912), a French sculptor and artist known for his works depicting scenes from rural life. Another was Henri BENOY (1870-1944), a Belgian architect who played a significant role in the design of several iconic buildings in Brussels.
In the world of literature, the name BENOY is associated with the French writer and poet, Émile BENOY (1902-1976), whose works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. In the realm of sports, the Canadian hockey player, Jean BENOY (1914-1998), made a lasting impact as a member of the Montreal Canadiens during the 1930s and 1940s.
The surname BENOY has a rich history, tracing its roots back to the Old French language and spreading across various regions and continents over the centuries. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the name has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, leaving their mark in various fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benoy 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. Cornwall leads with 48 Benoys recorded in 1881 and an index of 46.25x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | 48 | 46.25x |
| Devon | 24 | 12.58x |
| Middlesex | 8 | 0.87x |
| Staffordshire | 8 | 2.59x |
| Royal Navy | 3 | 27.47x |
| Cheshire | 2 | 0.99x |
| Kent | 1 | 0.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Stephen in Cornwall leads with 25 Benoys recorded in 1881 and an index of 6756.76x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| St Stephen | 25 | 6756.76x |
| St Teath | 9 | 1428.57x |
| Harborne | 8 | 80.65x |
| Mile End New Town London | 8 | 441.99x |
| St Stephens By Saltash | 8 | 1777.78x |
| Plymouth St Andrew | 7 | 47.62x |
| Sampford Spiney | 4 | 3076.92x |
| Stoke Damerel | 4 | 29.94x |
| Werrington | 4 | 1904.76x |
| Kelly | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Royal Navy | 3 | 32.12x |
| Week St Mary | 3 | 1875.00x |
| Dukinfield | 2 | 21.39x |
| South Petherwin | 2 | 769.23x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 1 | 11.89x |
| Tormoham | 1 | 12.39x |
| Walmer | 1 | 73.53x |
| Warbstowe | 1 | 1666.67x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Benoy 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 Benoy 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 Benoy households.
FAQ
In 1881, 91 people were recorded with the Benoy surname. That placed it at #20,843 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 86 in 2016. That gives Benoy a modern rank of #32,570.
A French surname derived from the given name Benoit, meaning "blessed".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Benoy 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.