BENJAMIN
Benjamin is a surname that finds its roots in the Hebrew given name Binyamin, which translates as “son of the right hand”. The name appears in the Old Testament as the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and it has traditionally been associated with qualities such as strength, favour and honour.
In the English context the name entered use as a surname in the late twelfth century, a period of intense religious and cultural change. Christian soldiers who returned from the Crusades in the 1100s adopted Hebrew forenames such as Adam, Thomas, Isaac and Abraham, thereby replacing many of the earlier Norman and Anglo‑Saxon names. These forenames subsequently evolved into hereditary surnames, and Benjamin was among those that became fixed in record.
Following the Edict of Expulsion (1290) enacted by King Edward I, Jewish presence in England was removed and the popularity of Hebrew surnames declined. The Puritans of the seventeenth century, however, revived the practice of adopting Hebrew names, and in 1655 Oliver Cromwell lifted the orders that had barred Jews from returning to the country. This renewal of interest further cemented the surname’s presence in English society.
Historical evidence shows that the surname was in existence before 1250, with records cited by Professor Reaney in the counties of Berkshire, Wiltshire and Cambridgeshire. Although Reaney did not quote specific examples, early documentary evidence exists: Caterina Benjamini appears in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Suffolk, and Robert Benjamin is listed in the same year’s rolls for Bedford. The earliest documented spelling is that of Roger Beniamin, dated 1166 in the pipe rolls of Norfolk during the reign of King Henry I (1154‑1189), the period in which he was known as “the church builder”.
As a family name, Benjamin has remained largely English in character, while retaining its Hebrew etymology. It has been borne by individuals of both Christian and Jewish faiths, demonstrating its adaptability and enduring appeal within British society. The name continues to signify the attributes ascribed to its biblical origin, and it maintains a prominent place in the canon of English surnames that arose from biblical forenames.
Typical given names associated with the Benjamin surname
Male
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jacqueline
- Joanne
- Kerry
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Benjamin in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 6,421 people named Benjamin in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,473rd most common surname in Britain. Around 99 in a million people in Britain are named Benjamin.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Benjamin
- Carl Benjamin - King of England
- Floella Benjamin - Actress, author, Businesswoman, Chancellor of the University of Exeter, Cultural ambassador, Chair o
- Lucy Benjamin - Actress
- André Lauren Benjamin - American rapper, singer, record producer, dancer and actor
- H. Jon Benjamin - American actor and comedian
- Alec Benjamin - American singer and songwriter
- Trevor Benjamin - Football player
- Christopher Benjamin - Actor
- George Benjamin - Composer, conductor, pianist and teacher
- Tiana Benjamin - Actress
- Ernest Benjamin - General (1900 to 1969)
- Timothy Benjamin - Athlete from Wales
- Anthony Benjamin - Artist (1931 to 2002)
- Benjamin - Speedway rider
- Elisabeth Benjamin - Architect (1908 to 1999)
- Albert Benjamin - Scottish contract bridge writer, player, and club owner (1909 to 2006)
- Natalie Benjamin-Lewis - Athlete
- Joe Benjamin - Football player
- Harold Benjamin - Cricketer (1892 to 1942)
- Lewis Saul Benjamin - Author (1874 to 1932)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.