History of your Surname
Get access to Benchley family records.Start a free trial

Benchley Family History

Benchley Name Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Beachley, Brenchley, Bentley, Beckley, Beichler, Bechler, Beighley

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Black & white image of a young woman scientist

Where is the Benchley family from?

You can see how Benchley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Benchley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Benchley families were found in USA in 1880. In 1840 there were 5 Benchley families living in New York. This was about 38% of all the recorded Benchley's in USA. New York had the highest population of Benchley families in 1840.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Benchley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
  • 1840
  • 1880
  • 1920
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Benchley ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, New Worker and House To Kanse Saleslady were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Benchley. 50% of Benchley men worked as a New Worker and 50% of Benchley women worked as a House To Kanse Saleslady. Some less common occupations for Americans named Benchley were Farmer and New Worker. .

View Census Data for Benchley | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • New Worker
    50%
  • Farmer
    50%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • House To Kanse Saleslady
    50%
  • New Worker
    50%
Black & white image of two construction labourers

What Benchley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Benchley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Benchley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search US census records for Benchley

Passenger Lists

There are 159 immigration records available for the last name Benchley. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the USA, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Benchley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 378 military records available for the last name Benchley. For the veterans among your Benchley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Benchley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Benchley family history

Discover More

What is the average Benchley lifespan?

Between 1962 and 2004, in the United States, Benchley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1984, and highest in 1985. The average life expectancy for Benchley in 1962 was 78, and 93 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Benchley

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Benchley family tree

Explore Your Tree

Browse profiles of historical people with the Benchley last name

Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial