Find out how popular the first name Bensley has been for the last 11 years (from 2013 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bensley by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Bensley is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bensley.

The history of the first name Bensley

The given name Bensley is a relatively uncommon name that originates from England. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "bene" meaning "bean" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing." This suggests that the name was originally used to refer to someone who lived near or worked in a bean field or meadow.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Bensley can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a survey of land and property holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Benesley" in reference to a location in Surrey.

Throughout history, there have been a few notable individuals who bore the name Bensley. One of the earliest was Sir John Bensley (c. 1350-1418), an English knight and landowner who served as a member of Parliament for Hertfordshire in the late 14th century.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Bensley (1633-1701), an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of St. Mary's Church in Bury St. Edmunds and wrote several religious works.

In the 19th century, Robert Bensley (1817-1886) was a notable English printer and typographer who worked for the renowned Chiswick Press and was known for his skilled craftsmanship.

Moving into the 20th century, Edward Bensley (1912-1988) was a British actor and playwright who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career.

Lastly, John Bensley (1942-2019) was an American lawyer and legal scholar who served as the dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law and was widely respected for his work in legal education.

While the name Bensley is not as common as some other English names, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bensley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bensley, please contact us.

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