Surname Benham - Meaning and Origin

Benham: What does the surname Benham mean?

The last name Benham is of English origin. It is an occupational name stemming from the Old French word "benne" which means bean field. It may also have originated as a nickname for someone who grew beans or came from a place near a bean field.

The Benham family crest depicts two scythes, which symbolizes their trade as reapers. The Benhams were farmers who worked with the land and had a long-standing family heritage. It is also speculated that the name Benham may have originated from a small village in England called Benham.

The Benhams trace their provenance back to when they first settled in the County of Somerset in southwest England during the era of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Over the years, it became widely distributed in England, Wales and even Scotland. In the late 19th century, some Benhams immigrated to North America and South Africa.

The Benham motto consists of two Latin phrases which read "Tempus Orditur Furor Finem Imponit" and “Dedit Hominibus Tempus Finemque Laboris”. The meaning of these phrases is roughly: "Time begins the madness and puts an end to it" and "The time of labor and its end were given to men". In general, it suggests that one should not overindulge in labor and should remember the importance of living life to the fullest.

Today, the Benham last name is still quite common, especially in the U.K. It is a reminder of the Benham family's hard-working heritage and its longevity over many generations.

Benham: Where does the name Benham come from?

The last name Benham is most common in the United States today. According to records from the US census, Benham is the 10,348th most popular surname in the country. It is most commonly found in California, Texas, and North Carolina, although many Benhams reside in other US states and territories as well. In addition, the name is present in places across the world, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and Ireland.

Benham is of Old English origin and derived from the words "bean" meaning "beans" and "ham" meaning "land". The name was likely used to describe a person who was a bean farmer. During the medieval period in England, people with the same last name often lived near one another. This is likely why the surname is still found today with greater frequency in some regions of the US compared to others.

In the US, the name is quite diverse, with Benhams in professions ranging from academics and lawyers to pilots and athletes. It is also a popular choice of name for families with a military background. Nonetheless, some Benhams have strived to make the name their own by writing books, creating songs, and creating works of art.

Variations of the surname Benham

The surname Benham is of English origin and has variations in spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variations of the surname Benham include Benam, Bennam, Benhamm, Benhamme, Benamm, Binham and Binam.

Benham is derived from the Old English personal name "Benna". The name was originally derived from the Old English words "bene" meaning "bean" and "ham" meaning "home". Thus, originally the surname may have referred to someone who lived at or near a place, such as an area or village, where beans were grown or kept.

In some cases, the surname Benham may also have been derived from variations of the Old English personal name "Beornham" which is derived from an Old English word meaning "bear" combined with the Old English word "ham" meaning "home" or "village". Thus, the surname may have originally referred to someone who lived at or near a place where bears were kept.

In addition, the Old English personal name "Beornhām" may also have evolved into another surname variant of Benham, "Beanham". This could also refer to someone who lived at or near a place where beans were grown or kept.

Other variants of Benham which have the same English origin include Beynham, Benhaam, Beinham and Benjam.

All of these variants have the same English origin, with variations in spelling and surname of the same original meaning. Thus, it is likely that anyone bearing the surname Benham or any of its variants may be related.

Famous people with the name Benham

• Julie Benam: Canadian actress
• Chris Benham: English footballer
• Jake Benham: American skateboarder
• Don Benham: American actor
• Cat Benham: American film producer
• Joshua Benham: American-Palestinian singer
• William L Benham: American musician
• Steve Benham: American Olympic athlete
• John L Benham: American politician
• Al Benham: American playwright
• Mark Benham: English rugby player
• Becky Benham: American writer
• Dave Benham: Canadian politician
• Mike Benham: English footballer
• Andy Benham: English singer
• Dean Benham: American Message Therapist
• Casper Benham: Danish actor
• Brian Benham: American football coach
• Stan Benham: Australian actor
• Jana Benham: Canadian writer

Other surnames

Benhaim