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

Benn, 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 Benn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Benn in America

Benn is the 7099th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Benn surname appeared 4,716 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Benn.

We can also compare 2010 data for Benn 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 Benn

The surname Benn has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "benn," which means "ridge" or "hill." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a prominent ridge or hilltop.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Benn can be found in various historical documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1236 mention a William Benn, while the Calendarium Inquisitionum post Mortem from 1328 lists a John Benne.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landholdings commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are references to several place names that may have contributed to the formation of the surname Benn. These include Benhall in Suffolk, Benenden in Kent, and Benningworth in Lincolnshire.

The name Benn has had several spelling variations throughout history, such as Benne, Bene, Benne, and Benn. These variations often reflect regional dialects and the evolution of language over time.

One notable person with the surname Benn was Sir Anthony Benn (1925-2014), a British Labour politician and cabinet minister who served in several governments during the 20th century. He was also a prolific writer and diarist, known for his left-wing views and advocacy for democratic reform.

Another prominent figure was Gottfried Benn (1886-1956), a German poet and essayist who was associated with the Expressionist movement. His poetry was known for its stark imagery and exploration of themes such as death, decay, and the fragility of human existence.

In the 17th century, there was a notable English clergyman named William Benn (1600-1680) who served as the Bishop of Hereford and was a renowned preacher and writer on theological subjects.

The name Benn has also been associated with several places in England, such as Benn's Green in Sussex and Benn's Hill in Somerset. These place names may have originated from individuals with the surname Benn who lived in or owned land in those areas.

Another historical figure with the surname Benn was John Benn (1572-1625), an English clergyman and author who wrote extensively on religious topics. His work, "A Romish Horseleech" (1624), was a critique of the Catholic Church and its practices.

While the surname Benn has undergone various changes in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, it has remained a distinct and recognizable name in many parts of England and beyond, reflecting the rich tapestry of history and cultural influences that have shaped its evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Benn

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

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 Benn 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 Benn 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 Benn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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