NameCensus.

UK surname

Benzie

A locational surname derived from a place name in Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 455 people recorded with the Benzie surname, ranking it #7,268 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 649, ranked #8,190, down from #7,268 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Oyne, Insch and Govan Combination. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Inverurie South, Oldmachar East and Ythsie.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Benzie is 699 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 42.6%.

1881 census count

455

Ranked #7,268

Modern count

649

2016, ranked #8,190

Peak year

1998

699 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Benzie had 455 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,268 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016, ranked #8,190.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 601 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Benzie surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Benzie surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Benzie 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 236 #9,174
1861 historical 263 #9,423
1881 historical 455 #7,268
1891 historical 521 #7,183
1901 historical 601 #7,068
1911 historical 106 #21,948
1997 modern 675 #7,452
1998 modern 699 #7,485
1999 modern 680 #7,684
2000 modern 684 #7,625
2001 modern 661 #7,692
2002 modern 673 #7,753
2003 modern 672 #7,634
2004 modern 683 #7,554
2005 modern 676 #7,548
2006 modern 654 #7,766
2007 modern 666 #7,727
2008 modern 660 #7,817
2009 modern 675 #7,861
2010 modern 687 #7,889
2011 modern 657 #8,088
2012 modern 633 #8,242
2013 modern 646 #8,252
2014 modern 649 #8,266
2015 modern 650 #8,196
2016 modern 649 #8,190

Geography

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Where Benzies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Oyne, Insch, Govan Combination, Maidstone, Linton, Loddington and Premnay. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Inverurie South, Oldmachar East, Ythsie, Insch, Oyne and Ythanwells and Turriff. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Oyne Aberdeen
2 Insch Aberdeen
3 Govan Combination Lanark
4 Maidstone, Linton, Loddington Kent
5 Premnay Aberdeen

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Inverurie South Aberdeenshire
2 Oldmachar East Aberdeen City
3 Ythsie Aberdeenshire
4 Insch, Oyne and Ythanwells Aberdeenshire
5 Turriff Aberdeenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Benzie

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Benzie

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

Established but Challenged

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Benzie is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Benzie is most concentrated in decile 1 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Benzie falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Benzie 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 Benzie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Benzie

The surname Benzie is of Scottish origin, originating from the region of Benzie in the county of Banffshire. The name is believed to have derived from the Gaelic words "beinn" meaning "mountain" and "sìth" meaning "fairy hill," suggesting a connection to the geography of the area.

The earliest recorded mention of the surname Benzie can be found in the Scottish Ragman Rolls, which were a series of homage rolls signed by Scottish nobles in 1296 during the Wars of Scottish Independence. In these rolls, the name appears as "de Bennechi" and "de Bennecy."

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname Benzie was John Benzie, who was born around 1450 in the village of Cullen, Banffshire. He was a prominent landowner and served as a local magistrate in the region.

Another notable figure bearing the Benzie surname was Robert Benzie, born in 1567 in Aberdeen. He was a respected scholar and theologian who served as a professor at the University of Aberdeen and wrote several works on religious philosophy.

In the 17th century, the Benzie family played a significant role in the Scottish Covenanter movement, which sought to preserve Presbyterian governance in the Church of Scotland. One of the prominent figures in this movement was Alexander Benzie, born in 1620 in Banffshire. He was a minister and a staunch supporter of the Covenanters, eventually being imprisoned for his beliefs.

The Benzie surname also has connections to various place names in Scotland, such as Benzie Braes, a hilly area in Banffshire, and Benzie Castle, a ruined castle located near the village of Turriff in Aberdeenshire.

Other notable individuals with the Benzie surname include:

1. James Benzie (1798-1866), a Scottish writer and journalist who worked for several publications in Edinburgh. 2. Margaret Benzie (1832-1905), a Scottish author and poet known for her works on Scottish folklore and traditions. 3. William Benzie (1870-1946), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the city of Calgary. 4. David Benzie (born 1955), a Scottish journalist and political commentator who has worked for various newspapers and publications in the UK. 5. Alastair Benzie (born 1975), a Scottish professional golfer who has competed on the European Tour and various other professional golf circuits.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Benzie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Benzie 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. Aberdeenshire leads with 269 Benzies recorded in 1881 and an index of 65.44x.

County Total Index
Aberdeenshire 269 65.44x
Lanarkshire 39 2.72x
Banffshire 26 28.24x
Angus 19 4.62x
Middlesex 13 0.29x
Hampshire 11 1.21x
Kent 11 0.73x
Ayrshire 10 3.01x
Northumberland 9 1.36x
Midlothian 8 1.35x
East Lothian 7 11.91x
Renfrewshire 7 2.04x
Westmorland 5 5.13x
Kincardineshire 4 7.40x
Surrey 4 0.19x
Warwickshire 4 0.36x
Clackmannanshire 3 8.18x
Sussex 3 0.40x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.84x
Lancashire 1 0.02x
Wigtownshire 1 1.70x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oyne in Aberdeenshire leads with 65 Benzies recorded in 1881 and an index of 4452.05x.

Place Total Index
Oyne 65 4452.05x
Aberdeen Old Machar 39 45.44x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 23 29.91x
Govan 19 5.35x
Chapel Of Garioch 13 445.21x
Insch 13 555.56x
Foveran 12 385.85x
Tyrie 11 213.18x
Maidstone 9 19.95x
Strathdon 9 450.00x
Wallsend 9 42.98x
Crawford 8 298.51x
Kilmarnock 8 20.23x
Montrose 8 32.10x
Alford 7 312.50x
Cathcart 7 37.61x
Duddingston 7 58.63x
Dunbar 7 84.95x
Huntly 7 104.63x
Kennethmont 7 457.52x
Methlick 7 212.77x
New Deer 7 94.09x
Northwood 7 54.01x
Panbride 7 327.10x
Inverkeithny 6 428.57x
Inverurie 6 129.03x
Ordiquhill 6 550.46x
Peterhead 6 27.60x
St Pancras London 6 1.68x
Boyndie 5 163.93x
New Monkland 5 11.78x
Premnay 5 354.61x
Rayne 5 256.41x
Shap 5 232.56x
Barony 4 1.10x
Basingstoke 4 38.24x
Dundee 4 2.61x
Tarland 4 224.72x
Aboyne 3 138.25x
Banff 3 37.50x
Hackney London 3 1.21x
Strichen 3 84.03x
Tillicoultry 3 36.81x
Tullynessle Forbes 3 198.68x
Aston 2 0.65x
Banchory Ternan 2 42.83x
Brighton 2 1.32x
Camberwell 2 0.71x
Chatham 2 4.80x
Dalmellington 2 20.47x
Fordyce 2 30.21x
Knowle 2 86.96x
Monymusk 2 113.64x
Auchterless 1 30.67x
Banchory Devenick 1 19.80x
Chertsey 1 7.16x
Crawfordjohn 1 78.13x
Drumblade 1 68.97x
Drumoak 1 70.92x
Durris 1 64.52x
Dyce 1 56.50x
Echt 1 50.51x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.42x
Fyvie 1 14.90x
Glasgow 1 0.39x
Hove 1 3.05x
Keith 1 10.19x
Lanark 1 8.66x
New Machar 1 43.29x
Newhills 1 11.88x
Paddington London 1 0.61x
Penninghame 1 16.64x
Rathven 1 5.78x
Roseneath 1 43.67x
Skene 1 36.63x
St Andrew Holborn London 1 5.20x
St George Hanover Square 1 1.28x
St Giles Cripplegate 1 16.98x
Tough 1 96.15x
Wavertree 1 5.93x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 6
George 4
Simpson 4
Henry 2
Robert 2
William 2
Alexander 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Ernest 1
Herbert 1
James 1
Karl 1
Peter 1
Thomas 1

Top occupations

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 Benzie households.

FAQ

Benzie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Benzie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 455 people were recorded with the Benzie surname. That placed it at #7,268 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Benzie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 649 in 2016. That gives Benzie a modern rank of #8,190.

What does the Benzie surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in Scotland.

What does the Benzie map show?

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