In
Roman times the reclaimed area which is now Canvey Island was joined to the mainland by a road providing access from Benfleet at low tides to
Camulodunum (
Colchester) and
Londinium (London). The A130 road from Sadlers Farm roundabout to Canvey Island follows the route of the original Roman road. Its construction in 1971 brought to light a number of artefacts dating back to the early settlements in the area. The name of the town originates from the time of the
Saxon settlers in the 5th century, when the area was largely marshland. They named the area
Beamfleote, meaning "tree stream", being the area where the
creeks from the
River Thames adjoined the wooded area to the north. The current spelling was adopted at the time the railway service was brought to the area and a railway station built for the town. Throughout the intervening period various documented versions of the names has been 'Benfleota', 'Beamflet', 'Bemflet', 'Bienflet' and 'Bemfleet'. The last was used on
John Norden's maps in the 17th century. In Saxon times the village became known as South Benfleet when a new settlement, which became known as Little Benfleet, developed to the north of the original settlement. The new settlement did not last, and its site, which has since become known as North Benfleet, is now largely rural. The railway was brought to the town in 1855. The new Benfleet railway station connected the town with
Southend-on-Sea to the east and
London Fenchurch Street station. In July 2002, Castle Point District Council named a 6-mile cycle way, from near Benfleet railway station to near Leigh-on-Sea railway station, the "de Neumann Way" after
Captain Peter de Neumann, GM. ==Battle of Benfleet==