Show ContentsDinkley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Dinkley family

The surname Dinkley was first found in Northumberland at Dingley, a parish, in the union of Market-Harborough, hundred of Corby. Dingley Hall "occupies the site of a commandery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, founded in the reign of Stephen." 1

The Domesday Book of 1086 listed the place as Dinglei 2 and literally the place name means "woodland clearing with hollows," from the Old English word "leah" + the Middle English word "dingle." 3

One of the first records of the name was found here when Alured de Dingelai was listed in the Feet of Fines of 1197. From this early entry, the family quickly moved throughout Britain as seen by Nicholas de Dyngele who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1298, 4 and Roger de Dingeley who was listed in the Feet of Fines for Norfolk in 1330. 5

Early History of the Dinkley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dinkley research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1509, 1586, 1619, 1634, 1660, 1695 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Dinkley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dinkley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Dingley, Dingalai, Dingleigh, Dyngley, Dynley and many more.

Early Notables of the Dinkley family

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

Migration of the Dinkley family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



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