Show ContentsHindmard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hindmard first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Intwood, a parish, in the union of Henstead, hundred of Humbleyard, east division of Norfolk. 1 2

The place name literally means "dweller at the Inn-Wood [Middle English in, a lodging, dwelling; Old English inn, a house + Middle English mode, Old English wudu, a wood] " 3 4

Early Origins of the Hindmard family

The surname Hindmard was first found in Norfolk but we must look to Somerset to find the first record of the family. For it is there that Adam Inwod, was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5 Again in Somerset, we found Thomas de Inwode recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 4

The Inward variant proves to be interesting. While the name are related as proven by a late entry of "Sarah Inward, daughter of Richard Inwood, died in 1685. Inward and Inwood have been confused." 4 This variant may have a different origin. First of all, the earliest record was that of Roger de Ynewrde in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1202 and secondly, this variant may originate in Inworth, Essex which dates back to 1206 when it was known as Inewrth. 6

How and when the names became interchangeable, we do not know.

Early History of the Hindmard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hindmard research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1771, 1798, 1819, 1821, 1822, 1832, 1835, 1840 and 1843 are included under the topic Early Hindmard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hindmard Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Hindmard has appeared include Inwood, Intwood, Inward and others.

Early Notables of the Hindmard family

Notables of this surname at this time include: William Inwood (1771?-1843), architect and surveyor, "born about 1771 at Caen Wood, Highgate, where his father, Daniel Inwood, was bailiff to Lord Mansfield. He was brought up as an architect and surveyor, and became steward to Lord Colchester and practised as a surveyor. He designed numerous mansions, villas, barracks, warehouses, &c. In 1821 he planned the new galleries for St. John's Church, Westminster, and in 1832-3 designed, with the assistance of his second son, Charles Frederick Inwood (see below), the new Westminster Hospital. His best-known work is...
Another 94 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hindmard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hindmard family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Hindmard arrived in North America very early: James Inwood settled in Providence in 1779.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook