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
Cotton Weaver 284
Living On Own Means 146
General Labourer 116
Scholar 89
Dress Maker 85
General Servant Domestic 73
Farmer 71
Cook Domestic 54
Cotton Spinner 44
Woollen Weaver 41
Coal Miner Hewer 40
Charwoman 37
Domestic Servant 37
Carpenter 34
Cotton Winder 34
Housemaid Domestic 28
Worsted Weaver 28
House Painter 26
Plumber 26
Bricklayer 26
Worsted Spinner 26
House Keeper 25
House Keeper Domestic 24
Coal Hewer 24
Cotton Card Room Hand 24

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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