Bentley Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Bentley Name Meaning: Anglo-Saxon in origin, locational surname from 'beonet' meaning bent-grass, reeds, rushes, plus 'leah', a clearing; hence, 'a clearing overgrown with bent-grass'.

Generally a local landowner, or the lord of the manor would hold this name but also those former inhabitants of a place who had moved to another area.

Discover how your Bentley ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Bentley Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Bentley family

Profession Census Frequency
Female Servant 184
Agricultural Labourer 153
Independent 127
Cotton Weaver 104
Labourer 102
Weaver 81
Farmer 64
Male Servant 64
Shoe Maker 44
Coal Miner 36
Cotton Spinner 27
Stuff Weaver 27
Cotton Piecer 26
Stone Mason 21
Clothier 21
Worsted Weaver 21
Woollen Weaver 20
Stocking Maker 20
Dyer 18
Publican 18
Dress Maker 18
Joiner 18
Wool Comber 18
Tailor 17
Blacksmith 16

Bentley Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Bentley 100% 84,003
2 Bently 86% 4,995
3 Bintley 86% 981
4 Bantley 86% 560
5 Bontley 86% 282
6 Benteley 88% 154
7 Buntley 86% 115

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The surname Bentley is the most popular version of all its varients

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