Tanch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Tanch surname comes form the Old French word "tenche," which was a type of freshwater fish; as such it is thought to have evolved from a nickname. 1

Early Origins of the Tanch family

The surname Tanch was first found in Lincolnshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 first list the name as John Tenche. 2

Early History of the Tanch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanch research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1599, 1600, 1618, 1621, 1628, 1640, 1670, 1675, 1690, 1712 and 1715 are included under the topic Early Tanch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanch 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 Tanch 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. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Tanch include: Tench, Tenche, Tenches, Tenge, Tange, Tanch and others.

Early Notables of the Tanch family

Distinguished members of the family include Henry Teonge (1621-1690), English chaplain in the Navy and diarist, a native of Wolverton, Warwickshire, son of George Teonge. "Previous to 1670 he was rector of Alcester. On 7 June 1670 he was...
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tanch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tanch family to Ireland

Some of the Tanch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanch 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 Tanch or a variant listed above:

Tanch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Tanch, who settled in Maryland in 1775

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)