Show ContentsInches History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Inches

What does the name Inches mean?

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of first people to use the name Inches. The name was found in one of several places named Inch in the counties of Angus and Perth. The surname Inches belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The form Hinch grew in popularity after the 16th century.

Early Origins of the Inches family

The surname Inches was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Inches family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Inches research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1396 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Inches History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inches Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. Inches has appeared Hinch, Inch, Inches and others.

Early Notables of the Inches family

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


Inches migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Inches:

Inches Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • James Inches, who landed in Virginia in 1715 1
Inches Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Inches, who arrived in America in 1801 1

Inches migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Inches Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John K. Inches, aged 28, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Dirigo" 2


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. South Australian Register Thursday 23rd November 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Dirigo 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/dirigo1854.shtml


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