Surname Bently - Meaning and Origin

Bently: What does the surname Bently mean?

The surname Bently is of Old English origin. It is derived from a geographical locality "of Bentley", a parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Bentley itself is derived from two Old English elements: "beonet", meaning “bent grass,” and "leah", meaning “woodland clearing”. Thus, Bently essentially translates to “clearing covered with bent grass”. This surname dates back to the late 11th century and has varied in spellings over the centuries, with some versions appearing as Bentlie, Bentlee, or Bentleigh. It is important to note that surnames linked to geographical locations often suggest that individuals or families once resided in that area, were the lords of the land, or were associated in some significant way with that place. Therefore, the Bently surname indicates a historical connection to the Bentley area in Yorkshire.

Bently: Where does the name Bently come from?

The surname Bently is of Anglo-Saxon origins, deriving from the Old English words "beonet", meaning bent grass, and "leah", meaning woodland clearing. It is a topographical surname representing a geographical locality, originally given to someone who resided near bent grass in a woodland clearing. The name first originated from parishes named Bentley in Suffolk, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire in England.

Today, the surname Bently is prevalent in the United States, specifically the Midwest, though it is also distributed across the country. Additionally, it can often be found in England, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The spelling variations of the name (like Bentley) are common too. It's also particularly common among English-speaking populations globally, including in countries such as Canada and Australia. Despite its prevalence in English-speaking communities, Bently is considered a relatively rare surname overall.

Variations of the surname Bently

The surname Bently is of English origin and is derived from an Old English place-name, consisting of “beonet,” meaning bent grass, and “leah,” meaning wood, meadow or clearing. This suggests that the original bearer of the name lived near a meadow of bent grass.

Variations and alternate spellings can include Bentley, Bentlie, Bentleigh, Bentlye, and Bentli. Surnames that possibly descend from the same root or have a similar origin include Bent, Benton, Bennet, Bennetts, Bennettson and Bennetson, derived from a diminutive or son of a person named Ben or Benjamin.

Surnames are particularly subject to change over time due to regional pronunciation differences, literacy levels and clerical errors. Over time, Bentley could have been Anglicized into Bently or phonetically spelled differently in records, hence the variations in spelling.

It's worth noting that these variations can be influenced by a range of factors including the language of the recording official, dialects and the use of nicknames or shortened forms. Around the world, Bently and its variations can be found, reflecting the global dispersion of the name due to historical migration patterns.

Famous people with the name Bently

• Wes Bently: An American actor best known for his roles in "American Beauty," "Ghost Rider," and "The Hunger Games."
• Dierks Bentley: A famous American country music singer and songwriter, known for his hit songs such as “What Was I Thinkin” and “Every Mile a Memory”.
• Doug Bently: A Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played for Chicago Black Hawks in National Hockey League (NHL).
• Max Bemis: An American musician and lead vocalist of the band Say Anything, who was born Maxim Adam Bemis Bently.
• Stephanie Bentley: She is an American country music artist, she is known for writing hit songs for other artists and her own solo career.
• Fonzworth Bentley: Born Derek Watkins, this American television personality, musician, and author is known by his stage name Fonzworth Bentley.
• Charles Bentley: An English painter and engraver.
• Gladys Bentley: An American blues singer during the Harlem Renaissance. She was one of the most prominent black female blues singers in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.
• Peter Bentley: A Canadian businessman and former CEO of Canfor.

Other surnames

BentlageBentley