Surname Bentley - Meaning and Origin

Charting Bentley Ancestry: A Personal Journey with iGENEA DNA Test

Exploring one's genetic ancestry can be a fascinating journey, one that iGENEA DNA test made both comprehensive and intriguing. Learn how this experience deepened my understanding of the Bentley heritage, allowing me to connect with several other individuals sharing this surname.

L. Bentley

Bentley: What does the surname Bentley mean?

The surname Bentley is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name meaning "bent grass clearing" in Old English. It consists of two elements - "beonet", a type of grass, and "leah" meaning clearing in a forest. The name points back to families that lived in or around areas where this type of grass was found or where a bent-grass clearing was prominent. It might also refer to families hailing from places named Bentley, found in counties such as Staffordshire, Suffolk, Essex, and Hampshire in England. As a locational name, it often served to identify individuals who migrated from their birthplace and settled elsewhere. Over time, Bentley has come to be adopted as a family name across the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.

Bentley: Where does the name Bentley come from?

The surname Bentley originates from England. It is a geographical or locational surname, derived from various places in England named as "Bentley" in counties like Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, and Essex. The name itself is believed to be composed of Old English words, "beonet," meaning "bent grass," and "leah," denoting a "woodland clearing" or "meadow." Therefore, Bentley can be translated as "the clearing with the bent grass."

Today, Bentley is a common surname in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In terms of frequency, the highest concentration of the Bentley surname can be found in the United States. However, considering the population ratio, it is most common in Wales. Notable persons bearing this surname include former American politician Robert Bentley and British luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors.

Variations of the surname Bentley

The surname Bentley is of Old English origin, derived from the place name Bentley, which is found in multiple places across England. The name means "bent grass clearing" or "bent grass meadow". Bentley is an ancient and highly esteemed surname that first appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086.

It has different spellings and variants based on geographical and historical factors. The name Bentley has been variously spelled as Bentley, Bentlie, Bentleigh, Bentlea, and Bentlee. Some additional variants include Bently, Bentli, Bendley, and Bantley.

It's important to note that the variants often depend on the pronunciation, phonetics, and local dialects, which can differ significantly across regions and countries. The change in the surname's spellings and variations can also be attributed to class structures, literacy rates, religious preferences, and, to some degree, fashion trends over the centuries.

In addition to being a surname, Bentley is also a popular given name. Surnames are often used as first names and this tradition has contributed to increased variations.

Sometimes, there are associated or similar surnames: Bent, Bentz, Bentson, and Bentham could be considered related, although they do not directly derive from the same root as Bentley.

Famous people with the name Bentley

• Wes Bentley: An American actor known for his role in "American Beauty" and "The Hunger Games."
• Dierks Bentley: Country music artist who has numerous chart-topping hits.
• Doug Bentley: Former Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Max Bentley: Another Canadian professional ice hockey player and Doug's brother.
• Fonzworth Bentley: Real name Derrick Watkins, he is an American television personality, musician, and author, best known for being Sean "Diddy" Combs' personal assistant.
• Gladys Bentley: An American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance.
• John Bentley: British actor best known for his role in "African Patrol."
• Joey Bentley: Former English cricketer.
• Robert Bentley: American politician who served as the 53rd Governor of Alabama from 2011 until 2017.
• John Francis Bentley: An English ecclesiastical architect whose most famous work is the Westminster Cathedral in London.
• Jim Bentley: English football manager and former professional player.
• Richard Bentley: 17th century English classical scholar and critic.
• Eric Bentley: An influential British-American theater critic, as well as a playwright, singer, editor, and translator.
• Derek Bentley: A British individual infamously hanged for murder under controversial circumstances.
• Lara Bentley: An American singer, songwriter, and pianist.

Other surnames

BentlageBently