Map of England showing where the Benham arms are recorded
The Benham arms were recorded in Grove, c. 1422.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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.
Henry V of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry V of England
1413–1422
Reigning in England when the Benham 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 England.
Origin & History of the Benham Family in England
The family name Benham is rooted in the geography of medieval England, likely originating as a locative surname for people who lived near a specific homestead or village. While the name is often associated with southern regions, historical records confirm that members of the Benham family were well-established in the city of York by 1422. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that these early ancestors were likely involved in the city’s thriving merchant guilds or local craft industries. As surnames became more permanent during the fifteenth century, families often adopted these names to distinguish themselves within growing urban populations. By maintaining a presence in a major center like York, the Benham family participated in the social and economic shifts that defined late medieval England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beonna-ham
An enclosure or homestead belonging to a person named Beonna.
This name
BenhamDerived from an Old English locative name referring to a settlement or village owned by Beonna.
also spelled
Benham
Baynham
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Civic Records, 1422
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