Bennet (surname)
Bennet is an English language surname and, less commonly, a given name. Alternative spellings include Bennett, Benett and Benet.
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɛnɪt/ |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Anglo-Norman, Old French |
| Meaning | "blessed" |
| Region of origin | England |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | Benedict, Benoît, Bénet |
Bennet is an Anglo-Norman English surname with Norman roots, from the medieval personal name Benedict (from the Latin Benedictus, 'blessed'). In the 12th century, it became a common given name throughout Europe due to the popularity of St Benedict (c. 480 - c. 543). 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."[1][2][3]
Derived surnames include: Bonnet, Jennett, Kennett, Dennett, Beckett, Barnett, and Basnett.
People
Notable people with the surname include:
- Carl Bennet (born 1951), Swedish businessman and self-made billionaire
- Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville, (1810–1899)
- Chloe Bennet (born 1982), American actress
- Christopher Bennet, (1617–1655), English physician
- Douglas J. Bennet (1938–2018), American diplomat and president of Wesleyan University
- Eduardo Bennet (born 1968), soccer player
- Ferdinando Bennet (1850–1929), English soldier and cricketer
- Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, (1618–1685)
- Isabella Bennet, 2nd Countess of Arlington (c. 1668–1723)
- James Bennet (clergyman) (1817—1901), writer and author
- James Bennet (journalist), U.S. newspaper and magazine editor
- John Bennet (composer) (c. 1575–after 1614), English composer
- John Bennet (judge) (1552/3–1627), English judge and MP accused of corruption
- John Bennet (preacher) (1714–1759), English Methodist preacher
- John Bennet (MP) (1628–1663), English landowner and politician
- John Bennet, 1st Baron Ossulston (1616–1695), English statesman
- John Bennet (archaeologist) (born 1951), British archaeologist and Professor of Aegean Archaeology at Sheffield University
- John Bennet of the Bennet baronets
- Keane Grace Wallis Bennet (died 2014), died in an accident
- Michael Bennet (born 1964), United States Senator from Colorado
- Spencer Gordon Bennet (1893–1987), film director
- Thomas Bennet (clergyman), English clergyman
- Thomas Bennet (academic), Master of University College, Oxford
- William Bennet (MP for Ripon) (died 1609), MP for Ripon
- William Bennet (bishop) (1746–1820), Bishop of Cloyne and antiquary
- William Bennet (musician) (1767?–1833?), English musician
- William Stiles Bennet (1870–1962), American politician
- William S. Bennet II (1934–2009), American business executive
- William Bennet (engineer) (active 1790–1826), English canal engineer (also spelled Bennett)
- Sir William Bennet, 1st Baronet (died 1710) of the Bennet baronets
- Sir William Bennet, 2nd Baronet (died 1729), member of 1st Parliament of Great Britain
- Sir William Bennet, 3rd Baronet (died 1733) of the Bennet baronets
Fictional characters
Fictional characters with the surname include:
- 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 1997 action film Air Force One
See also
- Saint Benedict of Nursia, patron saint of Europe, and twin brother of Saint Scholastica