Bennett
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Bennett Genealogy
England. The Bennett name probably originated independently in different parts of England and was widely spread by the 14th century. An early Bennett family was to be found at Pythouse in Wiltshire. One Bennett family traces its roots back to the 1650's in south Gloucestershire.
The Bennetts date from an early time at Saughall Massey in Cheshire. The first record here was that of a Piers Benet in 1369. This family were merchants in Chester for many generations. One branch moved to Dublin in Ireland. Bishop William Bennet of Ireland left his name to Bishop Bennet Way, a hiking route which tracks the ancient Roman road in Cheshire.
America. Bennetts from Somerset were early settlers in Virginia. Edward Bennett, a well-to-do merchant in London, was granted land and set off with a hundred and twenty settlers on the Sea Flower in 1622. His nephew Richard was governor of the new colony in 1652. Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general, was a descendant. However, more Bennetts came during the colonial period to New England. A Bennett family from Connecticut migrated in Nova Scotia in 1765. R.B Bennett, the Canadian Prime Minister during the Depression years of the 1930's, came from this family.
Gordon Bennett, who had arrived in New York in 1823, took over the New York Herald and made it one of the best-selling newspapers in 19th century America. The phrase "Gordon Bennett," denoting surprise or shock, reportedly derives from his playboy son who had a habit of outrageous behavior. The expression has also found its way into colloquial use in England.
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William Bennett served Henry VIII in his unsuccessful attempt to get the Pope to grant his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
Arnold Bennett, the Victorian novelist, grew up in the Potteries district of Stafforshire and based his novels around life in the six towns there.
R.B. Bennett was Prime Minister of Canada in the 1930's.
Tony Bennett, the American singer, was born Tony Benedetto.
Alan Bennett from Leeds is a popular British playwright and writer.
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The Origin/Spread of Surnames
Bennett derives from the medieval name Benedict
(from the Latin benedictus
meaning blessed).
Benedicte, meaning "bless you," was a popular expression. And the
various Benedictine monasteries around the country may also have been a
source for the name.
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Bennett Resources on
The
Internet
- The Bennetts of Gloucestershire. A Bennett family history.
- Richard Bennett of Somerset and Virginia. Early Bennetts in Virginia.
- The Bennett Letters. 19th century Bennett correspondence.
- Bennett DNA Project. Bennett DNA.
England. The Bennett name probably originated independently in different parts of England and was widely spread by the 14th century. An early Bennett family was to be found at Pythouse in Wiltshire. One Bennett family traces its roots back to the 1650's in south Gloucestershire.
The Bennetts date from an early time at Saughall Massey in Cheshire. The first record here was that of a Piers Benet in 1369. This family were merchants in Chester for many generations. One branch moved to Dublin in Ireland. Bishop William Bennet of Ireland left his name to Bishop Bennet Way, a hiking route which tracks the ancient Roman road in Cheshire.
America. Bennetts from Somerset were early settlers in Virginia. Edward Bennett, a well-to-do merchant in London, was granted land and set off with a hundred and twenty settlers on the Sea Flower in 1622. His nephew Richard was governor of the new colony in 1652. Robert E. Lee, the Confederate general, was a descendant. However, more Bennetts came during the colonial period to New England. A Bennett family from Connecticut migrated in Nova Scotia in 1765. R.B Bennett, the Canadian Prime Minister during the Depression years of the 1930's, came from this family.
Gordon Bennett, who had arrived in New York in 1823, took over the New York Herald and made it one of the best-selling newspapers in 19th century America. The phrase "Gordon Bennett," denoting surprise or shock, reportedly derives from his playboy son who had a habit of outrageous behavior. The expression has also found its way into colloquial use in England.
Select Bennett Miscellany
If you would like to read more, click on the miscellany page for
further stories and accounts:
Select Bennett Names
William Bennett served Henry VIII in his unsuccessful attempt to get the Pope to grant his divorce from Catherine of Aragon.
Arnold Bennett, the Victorian novelist, grew up in the Potteries district of Stafforshire and based his novels around life in the six towns there.
R.B. Bennett was Prime Minister of Canada in the 1930's.
Tony Bennett, the American singer, was born Tony Benedetto.
Alan Bennett from Leeds is a popular British playwright and writer.
Select Bennetts Today
Select Index of Names
The Origin/Spread of Surnames