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Show ContentsHenchcliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The ancient roots of the Henchcliff family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Henchcliff comes from when the family lived at Hinchcliff, now named Hinchliffe Mill, a spot in the township of Austonley, close to Holmtorth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The name was derived from the Old English phrase "henge-clif" meaning "steep cliff." 1 2

Early Origins of the Henchcliff family

The surname Henchcliff was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was John de Hengeclif who was listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor or Wakefield in 1324. Agnes de Hingeclif was listed in the same reference but a few years later in 1327. The Register of Freeman in York list William Hynsecliff in 1485 and Henry Hensceclyf in 1552. John Hyncheclyffe was listed in Sheffield in 1441 and so was John Hinchliffe in 1633. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes de Hyncheclyff; Willelmus de Hynchecliff; and Ricardus de Hynchecliff. 2

Early History of the Henchcliff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henchcliff research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1170 is included under the topic Early Henchcliff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henchcliff Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Henchcliff has appeared include Hinchcliffe, Hinchliffe, Hinchcliff, Hincliffe, Henchcliff and many more.

Early Notables of the Henchcliff family

More information is included under the topic Early Henchcliff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Henchcliff family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Henchcliff arrived in North America very early: Luke Hinchcliffe settled in New York in 1822; Joseph Hinchcliff settled in Philadelphia in 1840; Josua Hinchcliff settled in Newcastle Del. in 1854; James Hinchcliff arrived in Philadelphia in 1871.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  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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