Bensemann is of German origin and Bensemanns generally trace their ancestry to northern Germany. There's no consensus on the name's meaning. According to one oral history version in New Zealand, bense was an old variety of wheat and Bensemann meant wheat-grower. A tentative suggestion from a relative in the USA is that seeman means sailor in German and ancestors of the name may have been keen seafarers.

Another possible lead is the place-name Bensen - a hof or farm just 7km from the town of Engeln and 3km from Sudwalde - ie in the midst of the Bensemann homeland of Lower Saxony (right). The name Bensen is said by one reader to appear as Bense on an old map.