Map of England showing where the Benefiel arms are recorded
The Benefiel arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Benefiel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Benefiel Family in England
The Benefiel surname is believed to have roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing early family members in the county of Middlesex by 1620. During this period, the name was often recorded in parish registers as families navigated the social and economic shifts of early seventeenth-century England. The name likely evolved from local geographic descriptions or occupational titles common in the region, reflecting the way surnames were traditionally formed in rural communities. As these early ancestors lived near London, they were part of a society undergoing significant change, which often encouraged families to move between parishes for work or land opportunities. Over the following generations, the spelling of the name stabilized as it moved through various administrative records, eventually becoming the distinct family name recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bene-filius
Latin for good son or well-born son.
This name
BenefielAn occupational or descriptive surname denoting a person of good character or legitimate birth.
also spelled
Benfeild
Benfyld
Benfelde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers, 1538–1812
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
applePeace, plenty and long-standing settlement
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
