Bennet (surname)

Bennet (also spelled 'Bennett') is an English language surname (and, less commonly, given name); related to the medieval name Benedict, both ultimately from Latin Benedictus "blessed". Bennett is the English spelling of the Anglo-Norman name Ben[n]et (Modern French first name Benoît, surname Bénet[1]). The oldest public record of the surname is dated 1208 in County Durham.[2] §

Bennet
Pronunciation/ˈbɛnɪt/
Origin
Language(s)Anglo-Norman, Old French
Meaning"blessed"
Region of originEngland
Other names
Variant form(s)Benedict, Benoît, Bénet

Bennet is an English surname with Norman roots; Anglo-Norman: from the medieval personal name Benedict (from the Latin Benedictus, literally meaning "blessed"). In the 12th century, it became a common given name throughout Europe due to the popularity of St. Benedict (c.480-550), the Latin form of the name was found in England, alongside versions derived from the Old French forms, Beneit and Benoit, which was common among the Normans. "In the reigns of Edwards II. and III. the name is found thus modified: Fitz Benedict, Benediscite, Bendiste, Bendish, Bennett."[3][4][5]

Derived surnames include: Bonnet, Jennett, Kennett, Dennett, Benet, Beckett, Barnett, & Basnett

See also: Saint Benedict of Nursia, patron saint of Europe, and twin brother of Saint Scholastica.

Notable people with the surname include:

Fictional characters
  • The Bennet family in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
    • Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice)
    • Mrs. Bennet
    • Elizabeth Bennet, daughter of the above
  • The Bennet family in the Heroes TV series:
    • Claire Bennet, cheerleader character
    • Noah Bennet, adoptive father of Claire, known as "Horn-Rimmed Glasses"
    • Sandra Bennet, Noah's wife and Claire's adoptive mother
    • Lyle Bennet, son of Noah and Sandra
  • Bennet from the 1985 action film Commando
  • Vice President Kathryn Bennet, a character from the 1999 action film Air Force One

References
  1. Albert Dauzat, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, Librairie Larousse 1980, édition revue et augmentée par Marie-Thérèse Morlet, p. 36b.
  2. "Surname: Bennett". surnamedb.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  3. Etymology of the name "Bennet"
  4. Etymology of the name "Bennet"
  5. Etymology of the name "Bennet"
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