Surname Benjamins - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Benjamins: What does the surname Benjamins mean?
The last name Benjamins is of Jewish and Dutch origin. It is derived from the Hebrew personal name Binyamin, meaning 'Son of the South' or 'Son of the Right Hand'. In the Bible, Benjamin is the name of the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, who was the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His descendants were known as Benjaminites. In a Christian context, Benjamin is often interpreted metaphorically as 'son of sorrow' due to the complications that led to his mother Rachel's death during his birth. In the Netherlands, the surname Benjamins is quite common and is typically patronymic, signifying that the person is 'the son of Benjamin'. It is essential to note that the meanings can vary based on cultural and historical contexts. Moreover, the 's' at the end does not necessarily indicate possessiveness or plurality in Dutch surnames. In terms of socio-economic status, individuals with this surname come from various backgrounds and occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisBenjamins: Where does the name Benjamins come from?
The surname Benjamins is of Jewish origin, primarily stemming from Dutch and German-speaking Jewish communities. It derives from the biblical name Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand" in Hebrew. However, it's not exclusively Jewish and can be found among Christians too. In respect to Jewish communities, it's most likely an ornamental adoption, Jewish families often adopting biblical first names as their family names while embracing a non-Jewish environment. Today, while it is a relatively rare surname, it can found in countries worldwide due to patterns of migration and diaspora. It is particularly common in the Netherlands, having historical significance there due to Dutch Jewry's prominence before World War II. Elsewhere, communities carrying the Benjamins surname are common across Europe, North and South America and even Australia.
Variations of the surname Benjamins
The surname Benjamins likely originates from the Hebrew personal name Benjamin, meaning "son of the south" or "son of the right hand". It has a number of potential spelling variants and closely related surnames derived from the same source. These variations could have occurred due to factors such as immigration, regional accents, and illiteracy in earlier times, leading people to spell names phonetically.
Some of the possible variants and related surnames include: Benjamin, Benjaminsen, Benjamison, Benjamite, Benjamon, Benjiman, Benyamin, and Benyamini. Additional variants may also contain an 's' at the end to denote possessive case or patronymic meaning. For example, Benjamin's or Benjaminsen implies 'son of Benjamin'.
There are also several common nicknames and short forms for Benjamin that could potentially have been used as surnames, including Ben, Benji, and Benny. Lastly, it's worth noting that the surname could vary greatly in different countries due to translation and adaptation to different languages and alphabets. For example, the Russian version of Benjamin is "Veniamin", and in Arabic, it's "BinYameen".
Famous people with the name Benjamins
- Andre Benjamins: Better known as Andre 3000, he is a famous American rapper and actor, and one-half of the hip-hop duo Outkast.
- George Benjamins: A renowned British contemporary classical composer and conductor, known for compositions like "Into the Little Hill" and "Written on Skin".
- Joel Benjamins: A Dutch international grandmaster of chess who has represented Netherlands in numerous competitions.
- Bunmi Benjamins: A professional Nigerian footballer who has played for various clubs around the world.
- Corinne Benjamins: A Canadian speed skater who has participated in several world championships.
- Harry Benjamins: A well-known Dutch physician and anthropologist who significantly contributed to the field of anthropology in the 20th century.
- Annie Benjamins: A Dutch Jewish author and feminist who wrote several novels and feminist essays in the early 20th century.
- Julius Benjamins: An American lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist known for his work in supporting community development and social justice issues. While the surname Benjamins is not as common as some others, these individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have gained recognition for their work.