Show ContentsHyndeley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hyndeley

What does the name Hyndeley mean?

The ancestors of the name Hyndeley date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Hyndeley family lived at Hindley, in Lancashire, or later at Hiendley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Both place names are essentially are derived from the Old English words "hind," which meant "female deer," and "leah," which meant "forest clearing." The place-names as a whole mean "forest clearing where hinds are found." 1

Of the two locals, Hiendley or South Hiendley is the oldest as it dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Hindeleia. 2 Hindley in Manchester dates back to 1212 when it was known as Hindele. 1

Early Origins of the Hyndeley family

The surname Hyndeley was first found in Lancashire, now part of Greater Manchester.

"The family of Hindley, then Hindele, held lands here as early as the reign of Henry II.: in the eighth of Richard II., Robert, of this family, married Emma, one of the heiresses of Pemberton; and the Hindleys were living at the Hall in 1613." 3

Early rolls included Simon de Hindelay in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219 and Robert de Hindeley in the Assize Rolls for Durham in 1243. 4

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Margareta de Hyndelay; Roger de Hyndelay; and Matilda de Hyndelay. 5

Early History of the Hyndeley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hyndeley research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1613, 1700 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Hyndeley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hyndeley 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 Hyndeley 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. The variations of the name Hyndeley include: Hindley, Hindeley, Hindle, Hyndley and others.

Early Notables of the Hyndeley family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hyndeley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hyndeley 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 Hyndeley or a variant listed above: William Hindley settled in New England in 1747; Thomas Hindley settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1820; James, John, Joseph, Michael, Peter, Richard Hindley all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1868..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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