Hinchliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Hinchliff

What does the name Hinchliff mean?

The origins of the Hinchliff name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived at Hinchcliff, now named Hinchliffe Mill, a spot in the township of Austonley, close to Holmtorth in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The name was derived from the Old English phrase "henge-clif" meaning "steep cliff." 1 2

Early Origins of the Hinchliff family

The surname Hinchliff was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was John de Hengeclif who was listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor or Wakefield in 1324. Agnes de Hingeclif was listed in the same reference but a few years later in 1327. The Register of Freeman in York list William Hynsecliff in 1485 and Henry Hensceclyf in 1552. John Hyncheclyffe was listed in Sheffield in 1441 and so was John Hinchliffe in 1633. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Johannes de Hyncheclyff; Willelmus de Hynchecliff; and Ricardus de Hynchecliff. 2

Early History of the Hinchliff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinchliff research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1170 is included under the topic Early Hinchliff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinchliff Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hinchliff were recorded, including Hinchcliffe, Hinchliffe, Hinchcliff, Hincliffe, Henchcliff and many more.

Early Notables of the Hinchliff family

More information is included under the topic Early Hinchliff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinchliff migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hinchliff family emigrate to North America:

Hinchliff Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Hinchliff, aged 14, Britsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Parkhill" in 1842 4
Jno Hinchliff, aged 21, Britsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Liverpool" in 1842 4
Sam Hinchliff, aged 28, Britsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Russell Glover" in 1842 4
Thomas Hinchliff, aged 25, Britsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Columbia" in 1845 4
Frances Hinchliff, aged 21, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Abeona" in 1850 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hinchliff Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mary E. Hinchliff, aged 32, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Lucania" in 1906 4
Fred Hinchliff, aged 10 months, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Lucania" in 1906 4
Harold Hinchliff, aged 6, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Lucania" in 1906 4
Constance Hinchliff, aged 4, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Lucania" in 1906 4
Elizabeth Hinchliff, aged 40, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Baltic" in 1907 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hinchliff migration to Australia +

Hinchliff Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mrs. Hinchliff, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Orion" in 1948 5
Miss Hinchliff, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Orion" in 1948 5
Mr. J. Hinchliff, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Orion" in 1948 5
Mr. M. Hinchliff, British settler who arrived in Sydney, Australia aboard the ship "Orion" in 1948 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Hinchliff (post 1700) +

Thomas Woodbine Hinchliff (1825-1882), English mountaineer, traveller, and author,7th President of the Alpine Club
Peter Bingham Hinchliff (1929-1995), South African Anglican priest and academic, Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Oxford from 1992 to 1995
Christopher Volante Hinchliff (1993-1994), British Labour Party politician, Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Hertfordshire since 2024

Sources +

Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx