The surname Benson is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval given name Benedict which is from the Latin, Benedictus ‘blessed’. This owed its popularity in the Middle Ages to St.Benedict ( 480-550 ), who founded the Benedictine order of monks at Monte Cassino and wrote a monastic rule that formed a model for all subsequent rules. The meaning of the Latin word also contributed greatly to the popularity of the given name, especially in romance countries. In twelfth century England the Latin form of the name was found alongside forms of the name derived from the Old French, Beneit and Benoit, which was common amongst the Normans. While Furness Abbey in England was administered by the Benedictine Order, Bennet was one of the commonest baptismal names in the surrounding districts. Indeed, it will be found that Bennet and Benson are still common surnames in areas that the Benedictines have had foundations. It may also be a habitational name derived from Oxfordshire, so called from the Old English ‘Benesingtun’; composed of the elements ‘tun’, settlement and ‘Banesa’, a personal name of obscure origin, most likely derived from ‘Bana’, slayer. The nam…
Coat of arms: Argent, a quatrefoil between two trefoil slipped in bend sable, between four bendlets g…