Show ContentsHinsly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Hinsly name come from when the Anglo-Saxon tribes ruled over Britain. The name Hinsly was originally derived from a family 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 Hinsly family

The surname Hinsly 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 Hinsly family

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

Hinsly 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 Hinsly include Hindley, Hindeley, Hindle, Hyndley and others.

Early Notables of the Hinsly family

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

Migration of the Hinsly 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: 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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