NameCensus.

UK surname

Benyon

A topographic name of unknown derivation, possibly from a location name.

In the 1881 census there were 377 people recorded with the Benyon surname, ranking it #8,309 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 636, ranked #8,321, down from #8,309 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Eccleston, London parishes and Eccles. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include St. Helens and West Berkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benyon is 665 in 2011. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 68.7%.

1881 census count

377

Ranked #8,309

Modern count

636

2016, ranked #8,321

Peak year

2011

665 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Benyon had 377 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,309 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 636 in 2016, ranked #8,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 578 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Benyon surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Benyon surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Benyon 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 208 #10,107
1861 historical 228 #10,703
1881 historical 377 #8,309
1891 historical 426 #8,412
1901 historical 515 #7,878
1911 historical 578 #7,032
1997 modern 590 #8,250
1998 modern 612 #8,275
1999 modern 621 #8,253
2000 modern 626 #8,179
2001 modern 610 #8,193
2002 modern 646 #7,990
2003 modern 607 #8,255
2004 modern 597 #8,375
2005 modern 598 #8,288
2006 modern 606 #8,223
2007 modern 615 #8,203
2008 modern 625 #8,146
2009 modern 634 #8,232
2010 modern 647 #8,273
2011 modern 665 #8,014
2012 modern 656 #8,011
2013 modern 657 #8,144
2014 modern 648 #8,274
2015 modern 639 #8,304
2016 modern 636 #8,321

Geography

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Where Benyons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Eccleston, London parishes, Eccles, Dean and Prescot. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to St. Helens and West Berkshire. 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 Eccleston Cheshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 Eccles Lancashire
4 Dean Lancashire
5 Prescot Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 St. Helens 011 St. Helens
2 St. Helens 019 St. Helens
3 St. Helens 016 St. Helens
4 West Berkshire 009 West Berkshire
5 St. Helens 014 St. Helens

Forenames

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First names often paired with Benyon

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Benyon

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Benyon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Benyon household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Benyon 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

Benyon is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Benyon falls in decile 1 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.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Benyon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Benyon

The surname Benyon originated in England, with records indicating its presence as early as the 13th century. Its roots can be traced back to the Old French word "benignus," meaning "kind" or "gentle," which itself derives from the Latin word "benignus." This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive nickname for someone with a kind or gentle demeanor.

The earliest recorded variation of the name was "Beneyton," which appeared in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1273. This document was a survey of landholdings commissioned by King Edward I, providing valuable insights into the names and locations of landowners during that period.

In the 14th century, the surname was also recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire, where it appeared as "Benyton." This variation suggests a potential connection to a place name, possibly derived from a location in Yorkshire or the surrounding areas.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Sir John Benyon, a prominent figure in the 15th century. He was a member of the gentry and served as the Sheriff of Berkshire in 1437. His descendants continued to hold significant landholdings and influence in the region for several generations.

During the 16th century, the Benyon family established themselves as notable landowners and gentry in the county of Berkshire. Richard Benyon, born in 1532, was a prominent member of the family during this time and held the position of High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1570.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Benyon, who lived from 1555 to 1621. He was a wealthy landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for Berkshire in the early 17teenth century, representing the county's interests in the House of Commons.

In the 18th century, the Benyon family continued to maintain their status as influential landowners and gentry in Berkshire. One notable member was Richard Benyon, born in 1698, who inherited significant estates and properties in the region.

Sir Richard Michael Benyon, born in 1936, is a more recent example of a prominent figure with this surname. He was a British Conservative politician and served as a Member of Parliament for Newbury from 1987 to 2005, representing the constituency in the House of Commons.

Throughout its history, the Benyon surname has been closely associated with the county of Berkshire, where the family established their roots and maintained significant landholdings and influence over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Benyon families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benyon 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 182 Benyons recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.20x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 182 4.20x
Cheshire 49 6.08x
Buckinghamshire 27 12.24x
Shropshire 22 6.98x
Yorkshire 19 0.53x
Middlesex 18 0.49x
Montgomeryshire 15 17.94x
Staffordshire 13 1.06x
Derbyshire 7 1.23x
Hampshire 4 0.53x
Oxfordshire 4 1.78x
Surrey 4 0.23x
Gloucestershire 2 0.28x
Warwickshire 2 0.22x
Midlothian 1 0.20x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.86x
Royal Navy 1 2.30x
Suffolk 1 0.23x
Sussex 1 0.16x
Westmorland 1 1.25x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barton Upon Irwell in Lancashire leads with 21 Benyons recorded in 1881 and an index of 64.44x.

Place Total Index
Barton Upon Irwell 21 64.44x
Eccleston 16 4000.00x
Castleton 15 34.70x
Worsley 15 56.22x
Parr 14 90.38x
Pool 13 206.02x
Meltham 12 213.52x
Birkenhead 10 15.58x
Little Hulton 10 139.47x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 10 80.26x
West Derby 10 7.90x
Ellesborough 9 1184.21x
Ince In Makerfield 9 44.69x
Princes Risborough 8 271.19x
Baschurch 7 324.07x
Haughton 7 110.76x
Pendleton In Salford 7 13.57x
Wirksworth 7 134.87x
Atherton 6 38.07x
Beaconsfield 6 294.12x
Hoole 6 197.37x
Islington London 6 1.70x
Tipton 6 15.91x
Bootle Cum Linacre 5 14.54x
Chester St Mary On Hill 5 72.36x
Fitz 5 1388.89x
Kirkdale 5 6.87x
St George Hanover Square 5 7.78x
Ashton Under Lyne 4 4.23x
Chester St John Baptist 4 27.64x
Dukinfield 4 10.75x
Hopwood 4 70.67x
Kearsley 4 43.91x
Lancaster 4 15.53x
Oswestry Town 4 39.64x
Portsea 4 2.73x
Bedford 3 33.11x
Bledlow 3 223.88x
Garston 3 23.47x
Great Stanmore 3 182.93x
Liverpool 3 1.14x
Neithrop 3 39.63x
Newchurch 3 8.47x
Sedburgh 3 198.68x
Toxteth Park 3 2.05x
Whiston 3 88.76x
Berriew 2 86.58x
Bilston 2 8.38x
Bristol St James St Paul 2 8.38x
Drayton In Hales 2 30.77x
Everton 2 1.45x
Gt Ness 2 243.90x
Little Bolton 2 3.59x
Mucklestone 2 169.49x
Paddington London 2 1.49x
Prestwich 2 18.52x
Ripon 2 23.84x
Spotland 2 4.16x
Warwick St Nicholas 2 29.63x
Wolstanton 2 5.35x
Barnton 1 52.08x
Beetham 1 80.65x
Bermondsey 1 0.92x
Bollin Fee 1 28.01x
Bradford 1 4.94x
Cannock 1 4.65x
Clapham 1 2.19x
Culford 1 270.27x
Ellesmere 1 18.48x
Great Little Saughall 1 112.36x
Holy Trinity 1 1.15x
Monckton 1 48.31x
Moss Side 1 4.39x
Newington 1 0.74x
Salford 1 0.79x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 6.33x
Taplow 1 75.19x
Thame 1 24.39x
Werneth 1 39.68x
Wigan 1 1.65x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 32
Elizabeth 14
Ann 11
Alice 10
Martha 9
Sarah 9
Jane 7
Ellen 6
Annie 5
Margaret 5
Emily 4
Emma 3
Ada 2
Bridget 2
Charlotte 2
Edith 2
Eliza 2
Florence 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Harriett 2
Julia 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Ashlow 1
Catherine 1
Cecilia 1
Constance 1
Dinah 1
Eliza. 1
Elizebeth 1
Esther 1
Eunice 1
Fanny 1
Fedora 1
Grace 1
Hannah 1
Hesmith 1
Ida 1
Isabella 1
Janet 1
Jemima 1
Jessie 1
Lilly 1
Lucinda 1
Lucy 1
Margarett 1
Margret 1
Maria 1
Victoria 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 33
William 23
Thomas 14
Edward 9
George 8
James 8
Samuel 8
Henry 7
Robert 7
Joseph 6
Peter 5
Richard 5
David 4
Albert 3
Charles 3
Edwin 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Frederick 2
Fredrick 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Abraham 1
Abram 1
Allan 1
Augustus 1
Ellen 1
Emanuel 1
Emmanuel 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Harry 1
Herbert 1
Herry 1
Infant 1
Jno. 1
R. 1
Randle 1
Reginald 1
Richd.A. 1
Roger 1
Simeon 1
Solomon 1
Stanley 1
Sydney 1
Timothy 1
W. 1
Wright 1

FAQ

Benyon surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benyon surname in 1881?

In 1881, 377 people were recorded with the Benyon surname. That placed it at #8,309 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benyon surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 636 in 2016. That gives Benyon a modern rank of #8,321.

What does the Benyon surname mean?

A topographic name of unknown derivation, possibly from a location name.

What does the Benyon map show?

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