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Show ContentsHynchliff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The name Hynchliff is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came 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 Hynchliff family

The surname Hynchliff 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 Hynchliff family

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

Hynchliff Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hynchliff are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Hynchliff include: Hinchcliffe, Hinchliffe, Hinchcliff, Hincliffe, Henchcliff and many more.

Early Notables of the Hynchliff family

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

Migration of the Hynchliff family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hynchliff or a variant listed above: Luke Hinchcliffe settled in New York in 1822; Joseph Hinchcliff settled in Philadelphia in 1840; Josua Hinchcliff settled in Newcastle Del. in 1854; James Hinchcliff arrived in Philadelphia in 1871.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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