Benge

This interesting name is particularly associated with the Kentish region of England which is perhaps, not surprising as the origins are Germanic - Anglo/Saxon. The name derives from "Benzo" an early 7th Century personal name which is now found in the surnames Benz, Benge, Bence and possibley Bench, and recorded in England at the time of the Norman Conquest (1066). The name development includes William Bence (1275, Oxford), Semon Bencelyn (1327, Suffolk), Robert Benche (1279, Cambridge) whilst Maryn Bengs is recorded at St. Michaels, Bassishaw, London in 1567 and John Benge who was baptised at St. Martins in the Field, Westminster on april 8th 1585 in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Osmund Benz. which was dated 1086, The Domesday Book, Derbyshire. during the reign of King William I, The Conqueror, 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.