Show ContentsHensmend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hensmend

What does the name Hensmend mean?

The founding heritage of the Hensmend family is in the Anglo-Saxon culture that once dominated in Britain. The name Hensmend comes from when one of the family worked as a groom, squire, or page. The surname Hensmend is derived from the Old English words hengest, which means stallion, and mann, which means groom or servant. The latter word acquired its meaning of squire or page of honor in later times, in other words "an attendant upon a nobleman or personage of high distinction." 1

Early Origins of the Hensmend family

The surname Hensmend was first found in Northamptonshire near Seagrove, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Hensmend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hensmend research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1669, 1675, 1684, 1691, 1694, 1702 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Hensmend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hensmend Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hensmend has been spelled many different ways, including Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.

Early Notables of the Hensmend family

Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Henchman (1592-1675), who was Bishop of Salisbury and later of London. He was "the third son of Thomas Henchman, skinner, of the city of London, by his wife Anne Griffiths, daughter of Robert Griffiths of Carnarvon, was born at Barton Seagrove, Northamptonshire, in the house of Owen Owens, the rector of the parish, whose wife...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hensmend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hensmend family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hensmends to arrive in North America: Daniel Henchman, who sailed to Boston, Massachusetts in 1635; Richard Hensman, who came to Barbados in 1664; Anne Hinxman who came to Maryland in 1677.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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