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
Scholar 1,697
Cotton Weaver 277
Coal Miner 168
General Labourer 101
Agricultural Labourer 82
Living On Own Means 77
Farmer 67
Domestic Servant 65
Labourer 64
Dress Maker 63
Living On Her Own Means 60
House Keeper 46
General Servant Domestic 45
Cotton Spinner 45
Worsted Spinner 43
Cotton Winder 39
Gardener 38
General Servant 37
Worsted Weaver 37
Grocer 34
Laundress 32
Blacksmith 31
Carter 28
Joiner 28
Clerk 28

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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