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Show ContentsVince History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The earliest origins of the Vince surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a person who was referred to as a finch deriving from the small songbird's name. The surname may have also an occupational origin, denoting someone who caught and sold finches. 1 2 Godric Finc was listed as an Old English Byname (1049-1058.) Later, Ælfwin Finche, and Allwin Finke were recorded (1148-1167.) 3

Early Origins of the Vince family

The surname Vince was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat at Redheath. Conjecturally the name became established as Finch by Vincent Herbert of Winchelsea, who by a strange combination of Vincent and Winch of Winchelsea, bore the alias of Finch, and became the Earl of Winchelsea, having the Christian name of Finch. 4

"Vincent Herbert of Winchelsea, 20 Edward I. [(during the twentieth year of Edward I's reign)] bore the alias of Finch. The early pedigree of the Earl of Winchelsea's family is very obscure. Their former surname was Herbert, and one of the earliest if not the first who was known as Finch was this very Vincent. In Sussex the baptismal name Vincent is often corrupted to Winch or Vinch." 4

In Norfolk, the first record was that of Gilbert le Finch who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. Walter le Vinch was found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275 and later again, John Vynk was found in Colchester in 1373. "Ælfwin (Aylwin) Finche, Finke was of the family which gave name to Finch Lane and St Benet Fink in London." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Thomas Finch, Cambridgeshire and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1370 include: Agnes Finche; Thomas Fynche; and Johannes Fynche. 5

In Somerset, Philip Fynch was listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) 6

"The name of Finch was well represented in the eastern counties of Norfolk, Lincoln, Cambridge, and Bedford, in the reign of Edward I., and there were at that time a few of the name in Shropshire. It now occurs also in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire." 7

Early History of the Vince family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vince research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1300, 1337, 1379, 1584, 1599, 1614, 1621, 1626, 1627, 1628, 1639, 1649, 1660, 1672, 1682, 1689, 1698, 1702, 1704, 1705, 1711, 1712, 1719, 1729, 1738, 1901 and 1933 are included under the topic Early Vince History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vince 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 Vince 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 Vince include: Finch, Vinch, Vynch, Fynch, Vince, Vynche and others.

Early Notables of the Vince family

Notables of the family at this time include John Finch, 1st Baron Finch (1584-1660), an English judge and politician, Speaker of the House of Commons; Sir Moyle Finch (1614-?), 1st Earl of Winchilsea; his son Thomas Finch (d. 1639), 2nd Earl of Winchilsea; Sir Heneage Finch (c.1627-1689), 3rd Earl of Winchilsea; Charles Finch, 4th Earl of Winchilsea PC (1672-1712), British peer and Member of Parliament, First Lord of Trade...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vince Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vince Ranking

In the United States, the name Vince is the 14,156th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 8 However, in France, the name Vince is ranked the 5,043rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 9

Ireland Migration of the Vince family to Ireland

Some of the Vince family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Vince 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 Vince or a variant listed above:

Vince Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mary Vince, who landed in Maryland in 1665 10
Vince Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Vince, who settled in New England in 1767
Vince Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Robert Vince, who settled in New Castle county Del. in 1833
  • John Vince, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1867 10

Australia Vince migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Vince Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Vince, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1848 11
  • William Vince, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Trafalgar" in 1849 12
  • William Vince, aged 42, a gardener, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Trafalgar" 12
  • Edmund Vince, aged 23, a carpenter, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Mallard" 13
  • Mr. William Vince, British Convict who was convicted in Ipswich, Suffolk, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Corona" on 13th October 1866, arriving in Western Australia, Australia 14

New Zealand Vince migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Vince Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Vince, aged 31, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 15
  • Richard Vince, aged 35, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
  • Harriet Vince, aged 32, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
  • Richard Vince, aged 10, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
  • Ellen Vince, aged 6, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Conflict" in 1874
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Vince (post 1700) +

  • Samuel Vince (1749-1821), English clergyman, mathematician and astronomer at the University of Cambridge, awarded the Copley Medal in 1780, Archdeacon of Bedford in 1809 16
  • James Michael Vince (b. 1991), English cricketer from Cuckfield, West Sussex
  • Bernie Vince (b. 1985), Australian Rules footballer
  • Corrie Vince D'Alessio (b. 1969), retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender
  • Frank Vince Simonton, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1932 17
  • Vince Dundee (1907-1949), former New York State middleweight champion of the world
  • Vince DiCola (b. 1957), American Grammy and Golden Globe nominated composer, keyboardist, and arranger best known for his work on the movies: The Transformers: The Movie, Staying Alive and Rocky IV
  • Vince Granatelli, American founder of Vince Granatelli Racing, an auto racing team that competed in the CART PPG IndyCar World Series between 1987 and 1991, son of former car owner Andy Granatelli
  • Vince Fontaine (1962-2022), Canadian co-founder of Eagle & Hawk, a Canadian First Nations rock group based in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1994, winners of the Juno Award for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording in 2002
  • Vince DiFiore (b. 1963), American musician, member of the band Cake since 1991, and plays trumpet, keyboard, and auxiliary percussion

The Vince Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nil conscire sibi
Motto Translation: To have a conscience free from guilt.
  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  10. 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)
  11. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FORFARSHIRE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Forfarshire.htm
  12. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The TRAFALGAR 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Trafalgar.htm
  13. South Australian Register Thursday 26th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Mallard 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/mallard1855.shtml
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/corona
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 Jan. 2019
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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