Show ContentsHinslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hinslay is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived at Hindley, in Lancashire, or later at Hiendley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Both place names are essentially are derived from the Old English words "hind," which meant "female deer," and "leah," which meant "forest clearing." The place-names as a whole mean "forest clearing where hinds are found." 1

Of the two locals, Hiendley or South Hiendley is the oldest as it dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Hindeleia. 2 Hindley in Manchester dates back to 1212 when it was known as Hindele. 1

Early Origins of the Hinslay family

The surname Hinslay was first found in Lancashire, now part of Greater Manchester.

"The family of Hindley, then Hindele, held lands here as early as the reign of Henry II.: in the eighth of Richard II., Robert, of this family, married Emma, one of the heiresses of Pemberton; and the Hindleys were living at the Hall in 1613." 3

Early rolls included Simon de Hindelay in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219 and Robert de Hindeley in the Assize Rolls for Durham in 1243. 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Margareta de Hyndelay; Roger de Hyndelay; and Matilda de Hyndelay. 5

Early History of the Hinslay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinslay research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1613, 1700 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Hinslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinslay Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hinslay has been recorded under many different variations, including Hindley, Hindeley, Hindle, Hyndley and others.

Early Notables of the Hinslay family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hinslay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hinslay family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hinslay or a variant listed above: William Hindley settled in New England in 1747; Thomas Hindley settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1820; James, John, Joseph, Michael, Peter, Richard Hindley all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1868..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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)


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