Show ContentsHinxhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hinxhan

What does the name Hinxhan mean?

The name Hinxhan comes from one of the family having worked as a groom, squire, or page. The surname Hinxhan 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 Hinxhan family

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

Early History of the Hinxhan family

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

Hinxhan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hinxhan have been found, including: Henchman, Hensman, Hinxman, Hinchman, Hincksman and many more.

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

Migration of the Hinxhan family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Hinxhan, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : 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