Croatian Heraldry

Adam S. Eterovich

 

BENCICH-BENCIC

 

 

Bencic is found with the largest number at Bencici-Pazin, Gornji Kosinj, Kneginec Donji, Komarevo Gomje, Kraj-Zadar, Mace-Zlatar, Pazin, Poznanovec, Pula, Salez and Skrip, Island of Brac.

 

Arms were granted to Michael, Paul and Andrea Bencic on November 2, 1636 by King Rudolf. These arms contain a Turk's head on a sword indicating valor in battle against the Ottoman Turk on Croatian territory. The arms grant is on file in the State Archives of Zagreb.

 

A great number of Bencic's left Skrip on the Island of Brac prior to 1900 and settled in Santa Cruz, Sacramento and San Francisco, California. A few of the California Bencic's were Adam, Antonio, Dinko, Domingo, Dominic, George, John, Martin, Nikola and Thomas. They all had families. Vinka Bencica-Markovich was  a leader and very prominent lady of San Francisco. Her son, Tony Markovich, is owner of the famed Fisherman's Grotto Restaurant on Jack London Square, Oakland, California.

 

Courtesy of the Croatian Genealogical and Heraldic Society, 2527 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, California, 94070. Phone: 650-592-1190; E-Mail croatians@aol.com; Web www.croatians.com. Adam S. Eterovich.