| ![Show Contents]() Clenche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Clenche surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived close to a low hill. The surname Clenche originally derived from the Old English word Clenc which meant lump, or hill. 1 Early Origins of the Clenche familyThe surname Clenche 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 Clenche familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clenche 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 Clenche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Clenche Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Clenche include Clinch, Clench, Clinche, Clenche, Clynch and others. Early Notables of the Clenche familyNotables of the family at this time include Hugh Clinche, a prominent landholder in 13th century Lincolnshire.John Clench (d. 1607), was an English judge, son of John Clench of Wetherefield, Essex, by Joan, daughter of John Amias of the same county, and grandson of John Clench of Leeds, Yorkshire. 5Andrew Clench, M.D. (died 1692), was an English physician, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1680; he was murdered by a swindler named Henry Harrison who his mistress had lent money. He...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Clenche Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Clenche family to IrelandSome of the Clenche 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. Migration of the Clenche familyA 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: Thomas Clinch who arrived in Somers Islands in 1662; Nicholas Clynch, his wife Alice and his brother John, who came to South Carolina sometime between 1670 and 1682.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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