Clinch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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England

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The Anglo-Saxon name Clinch comes from when the family resided close to a low hill. The surname Clinch originally derived from the Old English word Clenc which meant lump, or hill. 1

Early Origins of the Clinch family

The surname Clinch was first found in Wiltshire, at a hamlet named Clinch and/or Clinch Common in the Vale of Pewsey to the east of Wootton Rivers, near Marlborough. 2

Hugh Clinche was recorded in Lincolnshire in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1223. 1 In Wiltshire, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 notes John de la Clenche held lands there at that time. The same rolls included Seman Clenche, Suffolk and Richard Clenche, Suffolk. 3

"The family of Clinch, now best represented in and around Sittingbourne, [Kent] resided in Hernehill in this county during the 17th century, where the name still remains." 4

Early History of the Clinch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clinch research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1223, 1273, 1305, 1327, 1332, 1582, 1584, 1593, 1600, 1603, 1607, 1680, 1692, 1743, 1770 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Clinch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clinch 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. Clinch has been recorded under many different variations, including Clinch, Clench, Clinche, Clenche, Clynch and others.

Early Notables of the Clinch family

Notables of the family at this time include

Hugh Clinche, a prominent landholder in 13th century Lincolnshire

Migration of the Clinch family to Ireland

Some of the Clinch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 235 words (17 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clinch migration to the United States +

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 Clinch or a variant listed above:

Clinch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Clinch who arrived in Somers Islands in 1662

Clinch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Clinch, who landed in America in 1760-1763 5
William Clinch, who landed in America in 1763
Frederick Clinch, who arrived in Maryland in 1798 5

Clinch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Clinch, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 5
C H Clinch, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 5
M D Clinch, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 5

Clinch migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Clinch Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mrs. Elizabeth Clinch U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 6
Mr. Benjamin N. Clinch U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 6
Mr. Peter Clinch U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 6
Mr. Peter Clinch U.E. who settled in St. George, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 6
Lt. Ralph Clinch U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Clinch migration to Australia +

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

Clinch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Clinch, English convict who was convicted in Clerkenwell, London, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 30th June 1845, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 7
Sarah Clinch, aged 19, a housemaid, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emigrant" 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Clinch (post 1700) +

Danny Clinch (b. 1964), American photographer and film director
Harry Anselm Clinch (1908-2003), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
Jon Clinch, American novelist and teacher
John Clinch, British brewer and founder of Clinch Brewery, an English brewery in the town of Witney, Oxfordshire in 1811
John Clinch (1749-1819), British clergyman and physician
John Williams Clinch III, Manx brewer and founder of Clinch's Brewery Company in Douglas, Isle of Man in 1779
Peter Clinch (1753-1816), Irish-born, Canadian politician who represented Charlotte in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1785 to 1795
Peter Clinch, Irish economist
J. Roger Clinch (b. 1947), Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons
Patrick Clinch (1790-1868), Canadian farmer, newspaper owner and political figure
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)