Surname Benner - Meaning and Origin
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Unmasking the Origins of Benner: A Revealing Journey Through the iGENEA DNA Test Results
My journey into the roots of my surname, Benner, through an iGENEA DNA test has unveiled a remarkably diverse lineage. It has drawn an image of a family spread across various ethnicities, including Celtic, Germanic, and Slavic origins, spearheaded by its impressive Celtic ancestry.
E. Benner
read moreBenner: What does the surname Benner mean?
The surname Benner, derived from the Germanic and Old English personal name Bernard, is an occupational surname. The derivation of the name relates to either a religious status, indicating that the original bearer held a Benedictine tradition, or to an occupation as a "benedictor" (in Old English) - a bee-keeper.
In its early forms, such as Benere and Bennere, this common last name appears to have originated in the east of England, particularly Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Warwickshire, during the Middle Ages. It later spread throughout England and eventually to America, in the seventeenth century, and Germany in the eighteenth century.
More recently, the last name Benner has been associated with the Irish, English, Scottish, German and Dutch cultures, and closely linked to the Roman Catholic Church.
Some of the earliest researchers to study the meaning and history of the name Benner include Daniel Hart and Horatio Benner, both of whom believed the name derived from bee-keeping. Indeed, in many records, this is the origin indicated when the surname was written down for the first time.
Regardless of the origin, there is no doubt that the last name Benner has been an integral part of many families’ histories for hundreds of years. Even today, its descendents are proud to use the name and proud of its varied and distinguished origins.
Order DNA origin analysisBenner: Where does the name Benner come from?
The last name Benner is common throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest, Northeast, and portions of the Southeast. According to the US Census Bureau, Benner was ranked at #3,159 for surname prevalence in the United States. In the 2000 United States Census, there were a total of 43,655 individuals with the last name Benner.
Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of Benner's in the US. As of 2018, there were an estimated 13,446 Benner's in Pennsylvania. Approximately 3,974 Benner's lived in Ohio, 2,953 in Illinois, and 2,588 in New Jersey. The US states with the least number of Benner's include Montana (982), Wyoming (899), Maine (852), and Delaware (795).
Shifting to popular ancestry records, the Benner surname is of German origin and derived from the personal name with the suffix "er". The name is believed to first have been recorded in the 13th century in Bavaria. A one Johannes Baner was mentioned in 1276 in Regensburg.
The Benner name had other variants such as Baner, Bannier, and Bener and more modern versions like Bennerister, Bennor, and Bannor. As a result of emigration waves, the Benner surname has spread around the world from its original roots in Germany.
Variations of the surname Benner
The surname Benner is of English origin and is derived from either Old German or Old French roots. It is speculated to come from the Middle English word “banere,” meaning banner-bearer, or a person who carried and displayed a flag on behalf of a nobleman or army.
The variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin as Benner include:
Bannor: A variant spelling of the Benner surname found in Germany, derived from Old German, “bannan,” meaning “to forbid”.
Bannen: Another variant spelling of the Benner surname found in Germany, derived from Old German, “bannan,” meaning “to proclaim.”
Banner: This variant is most commonly found in Canada and the United States and is a direct spelling variation of Benner.
Baaner: A Dutch variation of the Benner surname.
Banners: A combination of the word “banners” and the Benner surname.
Bannerman: A combination of the words “banner” and “man” to indicate a ceremonial attendant carrying a banner.
Bannert: A variation of Banner found in Germany, derived from Old German “bannan” meaning “to announce”.
Bannermane: A combination of the words “banner” and “mane” to indicate an attendant wearing a banner.
Benners: A combination of the words “banners” and the Benner surname.
Bannerd: A variant of Benner found in England, derived from Old English “banore” meaning “banner bearer”.
Baner: A German variant spelling of Benner.
Bannert: Another German variant spelling of Benner.
Banning: A combination of “banning” and the Benner surname.
Bannister: A combination of “banners” and the Benner surname.
Bannell: A combination of “banners” and the Benner surname.
Banninger: A combination of “banning” and the Benner surname.
Bannermane: A combination of “bannerman” and the Benner surname.
Bannered: A combination of “bannered” and the Benner surname.
Bannermanne: A combination of “bannerman” and the Benner surname.
Famous people with the name Benner
- Joe Benner: An American professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s.
- Debbie Allen: A renowned actress, producer, director, dancer, and choreographer most famous for her role as Lydia Grant in the hit TV show “Fame.”
- Stephen Benner: A prominent American attorney, highly respected in the legal world.
- Alan Benner: A minor league basketball player in the American Basketball Association.
- Tom Benner: A prominent entrepreneur and business executive, highly respected in the field of business.
- Jeffrey Benner: An American swimmer who competed in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Steve Benner: An American football player, former collegiate standout at Stanford University.
- Ryan Benner: A professional skateboarder, who is largely credited with pioneering many of the tricks used in modern day skateboarding.
- Jonah Benner: An American journalist and playwright, best known for his award-winning plays.
- Rose Benner: A notable civil rights activist in the 1940s, who organized several influential civil rights rallies in California.