Show ContentsHinxham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hinxham is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a groom, squire, or page. The surname Hinxham 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 Hinxham family

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

Early History of the Hinxham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hinxham 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 Hinxham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hinxham Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Hinxham include Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.

Early Notables of the Hinxham 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 Hinxham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hinxham family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: 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.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook