Find out how popular the last name Bences is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bences.

Bences, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bences surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bences in America

Bences is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bences surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Bences.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bences to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bences

The surname BENCES originated in Hungary, with its roots traced back to the 11th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old Hungarian word "bence," which means "monk" or "member of the Benedictine order." This suggests that the name may have initially been associated with individuals who were part of the Benedictine monastic tradition.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the BENCES surname can be found in a 13th-century manuscript from the region of Baranya, where it was spelled "Bencze." This document provides evidence of the name's presence in medieval Hungary and its potential connections to religious communities.

In the 15th century, a prominent figure named Benedek BENCES was a notable scholar and scribe in the court of King Matthias Corvinus. His work included transcribing and preserving valuable manuscripts, contributing to the preservation of knowledge during the Renaissance period.

During the 16th century, the BENCES family established themselves as landowners in the region of Zala, with records indicating their ownership of estates and vineyards. This suggests that the name had gained prominence and associated with nobility and landownership.

In the 18th century, Imre BENCES (1705-1778) was a renowned Hungarian painter and fresco artist, known for his works in churches and monasteries throughout the country. His artistic contributions left a lasting legacy in the cultural heritage of Hungary.

Another notable figure was István BENCES (1820-1894), a politician and jurist who served as a member of the Hungarian Parliament and played a significant role in the development of legal reforms during the 19th century.

The BENCES surname has also been associated with several villages and towns in Hungary, such as Bencéd in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county and Benczúrfalva in Baranya county, which were likely named after individuals or families bearing the BENCES name.

Throughout its history, the BENCES surname has maintained a strong presence in Hungary, with its origins rooted in the country's religious, cultural, and political traditions. The name continues to be carried by individuals of Hungarian descent, reflecting its enduring legacy and connection to the nation's rich heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bences

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bences.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bences was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bences has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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