This very unusual name would seem to have at least two possible origins. It may be a development from the Welsh "Ap Einion" through the English Benniuon and meaning "the son of Ian" and may appear as the variant Bennerman, one William Bennerman being recorded in Virginia in October 1635 or alternatively the origin could be through the French Huguenot Bouton (a maker of Buttons) recorded in England as Bountin or Boutain, Hellene Boiuntaynes being recorded in London in 1561. In 1806, John Benterman married Ann Cannon at Manuden, Essex. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Mary Bentiman. which was dated 1719, Baptised at St. Botolphs without Aldgate, London. during the reign of King George I, "Hanover George", 1715 - 1727. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.