The Benkei Family Name

The name Benkei is closely linked to Behnke.

In origin, the name means “A Low German pet form of Bernhard”. Before spelling was fixed, Behnke was also written Benkei. Regional accents shaped spellings long before dictionaries fixed them. You may also find the name written Benke, Behneke and Behnken.

Family crest and blazon

Arms linked to Behnke and its spellings were granted to individual families; our heraldry team traces which line they belonged to.

Want more than a summary? See the Benkei family name pack.