Surname Benking - Meaning and Origin

Benking: What does the surname Benking mean?

The last name Benking is likely derived from the Middle High German “benking,” meaning opportunity or advantage. It is believed to have originally referred to someone who was provided with a great opportunity or advantage either through luck, lineage or any other means.

Benking can also be traced back to the Germanic word “bontk”, meaning “king” or “ruler”. This could suggest that an ancestor of the Benking family was a ruler or nobleman in some capacity and could be further evidence for the original meaning of the surname.

The family name can be found in various forms across the world. One of the earliest references to the name is in 1208, when a Heinricus de benkinc was recorded in Germany at the time of the famous “Freedoms’ charters.”

Benking is found in low numbers in parts of Europe today, including Germany, France, and England. In the United States, there are more than 1,000 people of the Benking surname, many based in California, Texas, New York, and Illinois.

The Benking family has left its trace in history and its members have taken part in various societal events and activities throughout the centuries. Whether it is a story of luck, privilege, or hard-earned success, Benking is a proud and respected family name.

Benking: Where does the name Benking come from?

The last name Benking is not particularly common around the world today. It is primarily found in regions of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In Germany, it is most common in the state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, where it is estimated that around 250 people with the last name Benking live. In Austria, it is found mostly in the regions of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. In Switzerland, it is mostly found in the regions of Zurich and Grisons. In the United States, the largest concentration of people with the last name Benking can be found in California, with around 130 people. While the numbers remain small, people with the last name Benking can also be found in other countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Russia, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Benking

Benking is a German surname with variants such as Bencinger, Bendinger, Bieninger and Beeninger. It is derived from the German word 'bening' meaning 'bright'.

The surname is also spelled Benkin, Benkine, Benken, Benkyn, Benke and Benkemann. In eastern Germany it is also sometimes spelt Benckendorff or Benckendorf. It can also sometimes be seen as back-formations such as Bening, Benkin, Bening, Beninga and Beninger. In some regions there are also the variants Bink and Binkle.

The more modern spelling of Benking has also produced a number of other variants and spellings, including Benkings, Benkingson, Benks, Bankings and Bankingson. There are even some cases where the name becomes Benkinger, Benkingse or Benkingey.

The variants, spellings and surnames of Benking, and the many forms they take, reflect its German origin and the different ways this surname has been used in different regions and cultures.

Famous people with the name Benking

• Willy Benking: German tech entrepreneur, investor, and journalist.
• Erwin Benking: German lawyer and politician.
• Marlon Benking: American professional basketball player.
• Curtis Benking: American Contemporary painter and printmaker.
• Jared Benking: American actor and producer.
• Marietta Benking: German art director, costume designer, and set decorator.
• Dirk Benking: German record producer, composer, and singer-songwriter.
• Linda Benking: American playwright, screenwriter, and journalist.
• Joey Benking: American graphic designer and visual artist.
• Corey Benking: American singer-songwriter, producer, and DJ.
• Ari Benking: American film editor and post-production supervisor.
• Michael Benking: German geologist, lepidopterist, and politician.
• John Benking: British-Jamaican actor and writer.
• Sabrina Benking: German jazz singer and composer.
• Paul Benking: American cinematographer and short film director.
• Pierre Benking: French actor, director, screenwriter, and producer.
• Roger Benking: American actor, director, producer, and playwright.
• Lucas Benking: Brazilian soccer player.
• Susanne Benking: German photographer and artist.
• Uwe Benking: German experimental filmmaker and writer.

Other surnames

Benkiewicz