Map of England showing where the Benton arms are recorded
The Benton arms were recorded in Wiltshire, c. 1620.
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 Benton 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 Wiltshire.
Origin & History of the Benton Family in England
The surname Benton is a locative name, meaning it originally identified people based on the place where they lived. In Old English, the name is derived from the words "beonet," which refers to a type of coarse grass, and "tun," which means an enclosed settlement or farm. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name were likely farmers or residents of a village located near a grassy field. By the time the family was firmly established in Wiltshire in 1620, the name had been in use for several centuries across various English counties. These early families were typically part of the agrarian society that defined rural England, living in small communities where their name served as a simple way to distinguish them from neighbors in other parishes. Over time, as families moved for work or marriage, the name spread from its regional roots to become a recognized part of the English landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. (another, az.) a bend ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Benton arms are recorded
The Benton arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Benton arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Benton Family in Scotland
The surname Benton has roots that stretch back to the rugged landscapes of Scotland, where it emerged as a location-based name derived from old settlements. While the name is often associated with English origins, historical records confirm that members of the Benton family were firmly established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Bentons were often involved in the city’s growing trade, legal, or merchant classes. As the family settled into the urban life of the capital, they became part of the social fabric that defined eighteenth-century Scotland. Their presence in city registers suggests that they were active participants in the civic growth of the region during a time of significant cultural and economic change. By tracing these early residents, we see a family that moved from local rural origins into the heart of Scotland’s most influential city.
Benton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Beonet-tun
Old English for bent grass and an enclosed settlement or town.
This name
BentonDerived from a place name referring to a settlement where bent grass grows.
also spelled
Benten
Bentonnes
Related arms
Bentvariant spelling
Bentenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Ekwall, Eilert. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names. 1960
Reaney, P.H. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. Wiltshire Parish Registers. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fusilTravail and industry
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
