Fynche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the family name Fynche date back to the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name given to 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 Fynche family

The surname Fynche 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 Fynche family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fynche 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 Fynche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fynche Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Fynche include Finch, Vinch, Vynch, Fynch, Vince, Vynche and others.

Early Notables of the Fynche 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 Fynche Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fynche family to Ireland

Some of the Fynche 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.

Migration of the Fynche family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Abraham Finch who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630 with his three sons; Benjamin Finch settled in Barbados in 1678 with his wife and his daughter.

The Fynche 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.

Citations +

Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)
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.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.