Daily AncestorBen
Ben is a nickname for Benjamin, so the same person may be Ben in one record and Benjamin in another.
Ben is a short form of Benjamin, and less often of Benedict. Charlotte Yonge calls Benjamin an essentially Puritan and Jewish name. It is easy to recognize, but an index may still keep Ben and Benjamin apart.
In a search, try both names. An index may list him only as Ben, while his baptism or marriage record gives Benjamin.
As seen in a recordStore account book, 1817; the same man signs deeds as Benjamin
Recd of Ben Nettleship two dollars in full of all accounts
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Ben." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/nicknames/ben. Last checked 2026-10-15.