Benson Family History

Benson Surname Meaning

English: patronymic from the medieval personal name Ben(ne) a pet form of Benedict (see Benn) + -son. English: habitational name from a place in Oxfordshire named Benson from Old English Benesingtūn ‘settlement (Old English tūn) associated with Benesa’ a personal name of obscure origin perhaps a derivative of Bana meaning ‘slayer’.

Americanized form of any of various Scandinavian patronymics from the personal name Bengt, Bendt, etc. Scandinavian forms of Benedict e.g. Swedish Bengtsson, Danish Bendtsen, Danish and Norwegian Bentsen. Compare Bensen.

In some cases also an Americanized form of Norwegian and Danish Berntsen or Bernsen and probably also of Swedish Berntsson (see Berntson) or Bernsson. Compare Bensen 3 and Bernson.

German: patronymic from a short form of the personal name Benjamin or Bernhard. Jewish (Ashkenazic): patronymic from a pet form of the personal name Beniamin (see Bien, Benjamin) + German Sohn ‘son’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Similar surnames: Belson, Bensen, Benton, Benston, Bendon, Bernson, Brenton, Kelson, Henson, Beeson

772K	Birth, Marriage, and Deaths
91K	Military Records
73K	Immigration Records
557K	Census and Voter Lists
1M	Member Trees

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Where is the Benson family from?

You can see how Benson families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Benson family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Benson families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 2,148 Benson families living in Lancashire. This was about 27% of all the recorded Benson's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Benson families in 1891.

Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Benson surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.

View Census Data for Benson

What did your Benson ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General labourer and Unpaid domestic duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Benson. 9% of Benson men worked as a General labourer and 66% of Benson women worked as an Unpaid domestic duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Benson were Retired and Unpaid domestic.

View Census Data for Benson

Data not to scale

We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

General labourer

Builders labourer

Railway clerk

Retired

Unpaid domestic duties

66%

Private means

Housewife

Unpaid domestic

What Benson family records will you find?

Census Record

There are 557K census records available for the last name Benson. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Benson census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Benson

Passenger List

There are 73K immigration records available for the last name Benson. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Benson immigration records

Military Records

There are 91K military records available for the last name Benson. For the veterans among your Benson ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Benson military records

You've only scratched the surface of Benson family history

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What is the average Benson lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Benson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1941, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Benson in 1940 was 42, and 75 in 2004.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Benson family tree

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Benson Surname Meaning

In some cases also an Americanized form of Norwegian and Danish Berntsen or Bernsen and probably also of Swedish Berntsson (see Berntson) or Bernsson. Compare Bensen 3 and Bernson.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022

Where is the Benson family from?

What did your Benson ancestors do for a living?

Data not to scale

We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

General labourer

Builders labourer

Railway clerk

Retired

Unpaid domestic duties

66%

Private means

Housewife

Unpaid domestic

What Benson family records will you find?

What is the average Benson lifespan?

Between 1940 and 2004, in the United States, Benson life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1941, and highest in 2000. The average life expectancy for Benson in 1940 was 42, and 75 in 2004.

Benson Family History

Benson Surname Meaning

2 million record(s) for Benson

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Where is the Benson family from?

What did your Benson ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Benson family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Benson family history

What is the average Benson lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Benson family tree

Search for another surname

Benson Surname Meaning

2 million record(s) for Benson

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Where is the Benson family from?

What did your Benson ancestors do for a living?

Top Male Occupations In 1939

Top Female Occupations In 1939

What Benson family records will you find?

Census Record

Passenger List

Military Records

You've only scratched the surface of Benson family history

What is the average Benson lifespan?

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Benson family tree

Search for another surname