Map of England showing where the Bennington arms are recorded
The Bennington arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Bennington 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Bennington Family in England
The surname Bennington is a locational name that originated in England, specifically referring to people who came from the village of Bennington in Lincolnshire or the town of the same name in Hertfordshire. The name itself is derived from Old English, combining the name of a local leader with the suffix "ing-tun," which describes a settlement or farmstead belonging to that person’s followers. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the Bennington family were well-established in the city of Lincoln. During this period, the family was likely involved in the local trade and agricultural life that defined the region. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Lincolnshire, eventually spreading their name across the country and beyond as generations moved to find new opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beonna
An Old English personal name meaning warrior or man.
This name
BenningtonRefers to the settlement or estate belonging to the people of Beonna.
also spelled
Bennington
Benyngton
Benyton
Benington
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Mills, A.D., A Dictionary of British Place-Names, 2011
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills and Inventories
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
