Show ContentsHinkston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Hinkston dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the village of Hinxton in the county of Cambridgeshire. This village dates back to at least the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Hestitone. 1 Years later, the village would be known as Hengstiton in 1202 and literally meant "estate associated with a man called Hengest," from the Old English personal name + "ing" + "tun." 2

Early Origins of the Hinkston family

The surname Hinkston was first found in Cambridgeshire, where evidence suggests they held a family seat before the Norman Conquest. Today Hingston Down is a hill near Gunnislake, Cornwall, and Hingston Down is a hill spur in Devon.

A scan over early rolls revealed John de Hyngeston in 1343 in the London Assize Rolls of Nuisance (1301-1431). 3

Early History of the Hinkston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinkston research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1612, 1642, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1666, 1683, 1721, 1775 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Hinkston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinkston Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hinkston have been found, including Hingston, Hinkston, Hinkson, Hingeston, Hingson and others.

Early Notables of the Hinkston family

Distinguished members of the family include John Hingston (1612-1683), English composer, organist and viol player in the service of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, King Charles II and mentor to his 14-year-old godson, Henry Purcell. "From 1661 to 1666 Hingston was among the gentlemen of the Chapel Royal; in July 1663 his office is specified...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hinkston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hinkston family to Ireland

Some of the Hinkston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hinkston family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hinkston, or a variant listed above: Philip Hinkson, who sailed to Maine in 1640; William Hingson to Barbados in 1658; Elizabeth, Isaac and Jane Hinkson to San Francisco in 1851.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  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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