Benn

Benn
This ancient surname is first recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as shown below, although it can be stated categorically that the original holder would not have recognised it as a surname himself. Surnames as we know them today are, in most cases, a 13th century introduction, and so we believe that the first recording is probably a nickname which translates loosely as "Leuuinus the plump one"! Before the 13th century the baptismal name "Benne" was a development of the Olde English "Beonna" and whilst to be described as "the plump one" in 20th century terms may be described as derogatory, this was not so in earlier times. A certain amount of "plumpness" was highly regarded as shown by the manner in which "Friar Tuck" is treated by Robin Hood and his men, in the 12th century, or indeed the later Reubens. So the name was baptismal, a "plump" baby being regarded as a healthy baby, and hence named as such. The Normans after 1066 introduced their version of Benne, however this is a short or nickname version of St Benedictus. Given the timing and the Norman "politics" it is probable that the majority of todays name holders have a Norman background, but this is conjecture. The early recordings include Siuard Benne of Lincoln in 1190, and Thomas Ben of Worcester in 1275. Thomas Bennes was registered in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327, and this origin is almost certainly Norman. Peter Benn was the Rector of Caistor, Norfolk in 1430, and on July 1st 1634, Elizabeth Benn married Anthony Beomont at the church of St Thomas the Apostle, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Leuuinus Benne, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book for Suffolk, during the reign of King William 1, known as "The Conqueror", 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Benn — is a surname, and may refer to:* A. W. Benn (1843 1915), British rationalist/humanist writer * Arthur Shirley Benn (1858 1937), British politician, later Baron Glenravel * Brindley Benn (born 1923), Guyanese politician * Carl Benn, historian *… …   Wikipedia

  • BENN (G.) — BENN GOTTFRIED (1886 1956) Aujourd’hui reconnu comme l’un des tout premiers poètes allemands de ce siècle, Gottfried Benn est également l’auteur d’une œuvre d’essayiste et de prosateur considérable. La réflexion théorique nourrit toute la… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Benn — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Brindley Benn (1923–2009), guyanischer Politiker Ernst Viktor Benn (1898 ), Präsident des Landeskirchenamts in Hannover Gottfried Benn (1886–1956), deutscher Dichter und Essayist Hilary Benn (* 1953),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • BENN — (Benzion Rabinovich; 1905–1989), painter and graphic artist. Benn was born in Bialystok, Poland, and finished the Hebrew gymnasium there, where he later started his education in art at the private studios of local artists. He also studied at the… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Benn — Benn., bei Tiernamen Abkürzung für E. T. Bennett, engl. Zoolog …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Benn — Benn, Gottfried …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • benn — var. of ben n.3, the Horse radish tree …   Useful english dictionary

  • Benn — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. André Benn (né le 4 novembre 1950 à Ixelles) est un scénariste et dessinateur de bandes dessinées. Gottfried Benn (2 mai 1886 7 juillet 1956) est… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Benn — Bẹnn,   Gottfried, Schriftsteller, * Mansfeld (Landkreis Prignitz) 2. 5. 1886, ✝ Berlin 7. 7. 1956; Sohn eines protestantischen Pfarrers; arbeitete nach dem Medizinstudium in Berliner Krankenhäusern, dann 1917 35 (und wieder nach dem Zweiten… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Benn — (Anthony Wedgwood Benn 1925–) a British Labour politician, famous for his left wing views, who has had important positions in two Labour governments. He was a Member of Parliament from 1950 to 2001. He is the son of a viscount(1) and when his… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”