Henk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The Henk name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Henk was originally a name given to someone who worked as a groom, squire, or page. The surname Henk is derived from the Old English words hengest, which means stallion, and mann, which means groom or servant. The latter word acquired its meaning of squire or page of honor in later times, in other words "an attendant upon a nobleman or personage of high distinction." 1

Early Origins of the Henk family

The surname Henk was first found in Northamptonshire near Seagrove, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Henk family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henk research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1669, 1675, 1684, 1691, 1694, 1702 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Henk History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henk Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Henk are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Henk include: Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.

Early Notables of the Henk family

Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Henchman (1592-1675), who was Bishop of Salisbury and later of London. He was "the third son of Thomas Henchman, skinner, of the city of London, by his wife Anne Griffiths, daughter of Robert Griffiths of Carnarvon, was born at Barton Seagrove, Northamptonshire, in the house of Owen Owens, the rector of the parish, whose wife...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Henk Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henk migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Henk or a variant listed above:

Henk Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Godfrey Henk, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1728 2
Mary Elisabeth Henk, aged 50, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1796 2
Ann Elisabeth Henk, aged 14, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1796 2
Ann Gertrout Henk, aged 24, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1796 2
Ann Mary Henk, aged 25, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1796 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henk Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Kaatje Henk, aged 11, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 2
Mietje Henk, aged 10, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 2
Neltje Henk, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 2
Jans Henk, aged 42, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 2
Peetje Henk, aged 2, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1847 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Henk Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alma Johanna Henk, who arrived in Illinois in 1941

Contemporary Notables of the name Henk (post 1700) +

Henk de Velde (1949-2022), Dutch seafarer who was especially known for his long solo-voyages around the world
Henk Steevens (1931-2020), Dutch professional cyclist from 1953 until 1955
Henk Hille (b. 1959), Dutch former ice hockey player
Henk Schueler (1923-2016), Dutch speed skater who represented the Netherlands at the European Speed Skating Championships in 1953 and 1954
Henk Visser (1932-2015), Dutch long jumper at the 1952 and 1960 Summer Olympics
Henk Schouten (b. 1932), retired Dutch football midfielder
Henk Peeters (1925-2013), Dutch artist
Henk Bos (1901-1979), Dutch painter
Henk Timmer (b. 1971), Dutch football goalkeeper, currently unattached
Professor Henk Badings (1907-1987), Dutch composer

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)