Hinton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Hinton surname lived in the parish of Hinton in the diocese of Salisbury, Winchester, Oxford, Peterborough, Bath and Wells.

There are two very different origins of the word Hinton. First, it means "high (or chief) farmstead," from the Old English "heah" + "tun," and secondly it means "farmstead belonging to a religious community," from the Old English "hiwan" + "tun." 1

From the many parishes found, the oldest is Hinton St. Mary, Dorset which was known in Saxon times as Hamtune in 944. 1

Hinton-in-the-Hedges is a small village and civil parish in West Northamptonshire, England. A church has existed here since Saxon times. The earliest recorded Rector was Sir Richard de Hynton in 1275. There is a monument to Sir William Hinton found here.

Early Origins of the Hinton family

The surname Hinton was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Robert de Hintona was listed. 2

Years later, Thomas de Hyneton was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1230 in Dorset and later, Thomas Hynton was found in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1385. 3

The "Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I" included some of the early entries for the family: Thomas de Hynton, Oxfordshire; Lucia de Hineton, Berkshire; and Matilda de Hinton, Middlesex. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed John de Hinton, Cambridgeshire; and Roger de Hinton, Dorset. 5

Early History of the Hinton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinton research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1603, 1615, 1627, 1633, 1634, 1637, 1640, 1655, 1664, 1682, 1692 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Hinton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinton Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hinton are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hinton include: Hinton, Hynton, Hintone and others.

Early Notables of the Hinton family

Notables of the family at this time include

Hinton Ranking

In the United States, the name Hinton is the 806th most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 6 However, in New Zealand, the name Hinton is ranked the 665th most popular surname with an estimated 1,060 people with that name. 7


Hinton migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hinton or a variant listed above:

Hinton Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Hinton Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Hinton Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hinton migration to Australia +

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

Hinton Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Hinton migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hinton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Hinton (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Hinton +
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