Surname Benkens - Meaning and Origin
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Benkens: What does the surname Benkens mean?
The last name Benkens is of German and Dutch origin and is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name Benedict. This personal name derives from the Latin Benedictus, which means “blessed”.
The Benkens surname derived from this personal name and is thought to have been acquired either by the direct descendants of the original bearer of the name or by people who took on the name as a habitational name derived from a place-name.
The Benkens family were originally from Northern Germany and Holland, but emigrated in the 17th century to the United States and South Africa.
In the United States, members of this prominent family were some of the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam in the 1600s. Some of the early settlers of Pennsylvania in the 1700s also bore this name.
Today, throughout America, Europe, and South Africa, the Benkens surname endures and is a reminder of those original settlers who left their lands to come to America or South Africa in search of a better life. It also serves a reminder of how a handful of families have endured and grown into numerous branches of related families over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisBenkens: Where does the name Benkens come from?
The last name Benkens is not particularly common today. It is an English surname of Germanic origin, first recorded in 1199 when Ralph Benekin was recorded in the "Ralph de Sancto Germano" areas (present-day Staffordshire, England).
The Benkens family can be found in Britain today, mainly in the Midlands such as Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire. The name is also found in a few places in the United States, especially in the South and on the West Coast.
Although they are not especially common nowadays, Benkens was once quite popular in the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries. The first documented Benkens family to migrate to the United States was Johann Peter Bencken who arrived in Philadelphia in 1789. In the first United States Census in 1790, a number of Benkens families were recorded living in different states.
The Benkens family in modern days are largely distinguished by their unique surname. However, many Benkens today go by other surname variations such as Bencken, Benkins, Benkyns, Binkens, Bonkins, and Bonken.
Variations of the surname Benkens
Benkens is a surname of German origin, first recorded in central Germany around the 16th century. The variants for this name include Benz, Banks, Benks, Benk, Benkmann, Bens, Bencken, Bincks, Bencki, Benke, Bencker, Benkemann, Benken, Benkenmann, Benckmann, Benckman, Benksen, Bencksen, Benckeson, Benkson, Benckens, Benckinson, Benckinsen, and Benckish.
The etymology of the Benkens surname dates back to when it was originally known as Benk. This moniker was derived from the personal name of the same spelling and was used as a patronymic name, meaning that it was derived from a father’s name.
In certain dialects of Germany, Benk and Benks were interchangeable and often used interchangeably as well. In Germany, Benk is an old form of the name Bernhard, which comes from the Germanic words “berna” meaning “bear” and “hard” meaning “brave; hardy.” The name Benken is also linked to several other spellings of similar meaning. Bincks is derived from a nickname Bincke or Bink, which was used to refer to a strong and bold individual.
The Benkens surname is also very common in points across Europe. In the Netherlands, several variants of this surname are found including Benks, Banks, Binks, Bencken, and Benke. In Sweden, we find Benck, Benke, Bencksen, and Benksson. In the United Kingdom, the surnames Bencs, Bencks, and Banks are also found.
In the United States, the Benkens surname is most strongly associated with immigration from Germany in the mid 19th century. The surnames Benken, Bencken, and Benksen are the most common varieties of this surname in the United States. These surnames are also associated with descendants of German immigrants from special dialect areas, such as those of Prussia, Baden, Wurtemburg, and The Netherlands.
Today, the Benkens surname is found in many countries across the world. Although the variations of the name may be different across cultures, they all take their origin from the same source. Many of the variants of this surname have remained unique by utilizing the different spelling conventions and languages found in other countries.
Famous people with the name Benkens
- Nate Berkus: American television host, author, and interior designer.
- Theodor Benko: Croatian politician and former Minister of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management.
- Lawrence Benkens: Fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away.
- Guillaume Benkens: French Paralympic athlete competing mainly in category C1-3 time trial events.
- Patrick Benkens: German film and television actor.
- Ron Benkens: American skateboarder and reality TV personality.
- Roli Benkens: German rap and hip-hop artist.
- Kim Benkens: Dutch-Flemish television presenter.
- Gigi Benkens: American beauty and fashion YouTuber.
- Lucas Benkens: German-American professional basketball player.