Show ContentsHinkey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hinkey is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived at Hinckley, in Leicestershire. The place-name Hinckley is derived from the Old English personal name Hynca, and leah, an Old English word that meant "forest clearing."

Early Origins of the Hinkey family

The surname Hinkey was first found in Leicestershire at Hinckley, a market town and parish that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Hinchelie. 1

"This place was created a barony soon after the Conquest, and was held by Hugh de Grentismenil, seneschal of England in the reigns of William Rufus and Henry I., who erected a stately castle and a church, and founded a small priory of Benedictine monks, which, before 1173, was granted as a cell to the abbey of Lyra, in Normandy, by Robert Blanchmaines, Earl of Leicester." 2

One of the first records of the family was Anfred de Hinkelai who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Leicestershire in 1176. A few years later, Roger de Hinckelee was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Wiltshire in 1208 and later again, John de Hynkeley was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1332. 3

Early History of the Hinkey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinkey research. Another 66 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1322, 1617, 1618, 1634, 1680, 1686, 1695 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Hinkey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinkey Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hinkey has been spelled many different ways, including Hinkley, Hinkler, Hincle, Hinchley, Hinckley and others.

Early Notables of the Hinkey family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hinkey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hinkey family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hinkeys to arrive in North America: Samuel Hinckley settled in New England with his wife Sarah and four children in 1634; Amos Hinckley settled in New York in 1851; Ebenezer Hinkley settled in Boston in 1765.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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