Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Benetland(e) 13th Nunkeel 1234 FF 1285 SR 1397 Baildon

• Benetlaund 1246 Ass

• Benetlonde 1548 FF

• Beneteland 1246 Ass

• Benitland 1595 FF

• Benedictus clericus de Houeden' 1198 P

• Alexander Benet de Houeden 1341 Dunelmiii,413

Etymology

Bennetland is Benetland (e )13thNunkeel , 1234 FF, 1285SR et passim to 1397 Baildon, Benetlaund 1246Ass , Benetlonde 1548 FF, Beneteland 1246Ass , Benitland 1595 FF. This might be 'stretch of land overgrown with bent-grass' (v. beonet , land ), but the unshortened form bennet survives only in the South and Midlands (cf. EDD s.v. bennet ), the usual Northern form being bent as in Bentley supra 204. Bennetland is therefore more likely to contain the proper name Ben (n )et , from MedLat  Benedictus pers. name or ME  benet 'an exorcist, a priest benedict' (NED s.v. benet , recorded from 1383). We have local examples of the name: in 1198 P reference is made to Benedictus clericus de Houeden '1198 P (from whom the place may be named), and as late as 1341 a priest called Alexander Benet de Houeden 1341 Dunelm iii, 413 was collated to a chantry in Howden manor (Dunelm iii, 413).