The first recorded use of last names in Benin was in the 15th century, when the Portuguese began colonizing the country. Prior to that, most people simply had one name. However, as the Portuguese colony grew, so did the need for last names.

The early Portuguese colonists were not particularly concerned with recording Benin names, and as a result, many of the first last names were simply the Portuguese version of whatever the person's given name was. For example, if someone's given name was João, their last name would likely be João as well. This changed in the late 16th century when the Dutch began colonizing Benin. The Dutch were much more meticulous in their record-keeping, and as a result, we have a more complete record of early Benin last names. Many of these names were still based on given names, but others were based on occupation or geographic origin.

For example, Van der Meer (of the sea) was a common Dutch last name that was adopted by many Benin families. Other common Dutch last names included Janssen (son of Jan), Bakker (baker), and Visser (fisher).

As Benin became increasingly integrated into the global economy, many families began adopting last names from other cultures. This process was most common among the merchant class.

Here is a list of Benin family names:

Ababe Abadahoue Abadassi Abagli Aballo Abami Abaou Abassi Abassou Abathan Abatta Abeya
Abiassi Abibou Abidji Abikou Abile Abilou Abiosse Abissi Ablou Abodji Aboe Abogou Abogourin Abossan Aboubakari Aboudou Abouke Aboussam Acacha Achamou Adadji Adagbe Adaha Adambi Adamon Adande Adango Adanou Adansoke Adegbindin Adegnika Adekanlou Adekounle Adenami Adenon Adeossi
Adetou Adido Adigba Adikan Adissa Adissin Adisso Adjaha Adjahi Adjahou Adjai Adjan Adjana Adjanou Adjao Adjaro Adjehou Adjio Adjo Adjouan Adomou Adotevi Adoun Adoutan Adovi Affama Afle Afrique Agassa Agavoedo Agbadja Agbadje Agbadji Agbaka Agbakou Agbassou Agbatan Agbatin Agbenou Agblo Agbodan Agbodjelou Agbodjo Agboessi Agbogla Agbotan Agboton Agbra
Agnila Agnoro Agoli Agon Agossa Agosse Agossou Agueh Aguemon Aguessi Aguessy Aguete Aguida Aguidi Ahamide Ahlou Ahomian Ahonon Ahonoude Ahossi Ahouanhoun Ahoui Ahoyo Ahyi Aibiro Aihou Aiwanou Akabassi Akadiri Akle Akpalo Akpodji Akpovo Alamou Aliame Amanh Amelina Ameyou Arouna Assaba Assogba Atchie Atcho Atchola Atedji Ategbo Attere Attiba Attolou Aubin Avadja Avado Avalla Avanon Avassi Avosse Avou Awadjo Awanou Awede Awessou Awignan Awla Awonde Ayeko Ayidedji Ayiha Azanman Azilinon Azui Balley Bekou Biao Boton Boukari Bovis Chablis Codjia Dagan Dahou Davito Deguenon Denou Dotou
Dramane Dupon Edey Edoun Ekue Epp Fanou Favi Firmin Gaado Gabaki Gangnon Ganse Gayet Gbaguidi Gbegnon Gbovi Godo Godonou Goubali