The ancient name of Hinksman finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from a name for a groom, squire, or page. The surname Hinksman 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]
The surname Hinksman was first found in Northamptonshire near Seagrove, where they held a family seat from very early times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinksman research. Another 50 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1675, 1592, 1669, 1739, 1669, 1684, 1691, 1694 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Hinksman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hinksman family name include Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.
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 Hinksman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.