History
The name Bentinck is a patronymic variation of the Old Germanic name Bento. The family is originally from the East of the Netherlands. The oldest known ancestor is Johan Bentinck, who is mentioned in documents between 1343 and 1386 and owned land near Heerde. An important branch was founded by Hans Willem Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland who accompanied William Henry, Prince of Orange to England during the Glorious Revolution. This British branch were initially given the title of Earl of Portland, later Duke of Portland. Furthermore, in 1732 the title Graf (Count) Bentinck, of the Holy Roman Empire, was created for William Bentinck, son of the 1st Earl of Portland. A Royal Licence of 1886 was created which allowed the use of this title in England as well. This title continues to be held by Tim Bentinck, 12th Earl of Portland and his heirs. In the Netherlands another branch with the title Count existed, but died out in the male line. However, till today an older baronial branch still exists in that country. The Dutch and British branches of the family continue to exist and belong to the Dutch nobility and British nobility.
Read more about this topic: House Of Bentinck
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—Milan Kundera (b. 1929)
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—John Lydon (formerly Johnny Rotten)