Spynks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Spynks

The name Spynks is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person who because his physical characteristics was referred to as the spink, which literally means the finch. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demigods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans.

Early Origins of the Spynks family

Early History of the Spynks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Spynks research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1261, 1418, 1419, 1653, 1713 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Spynks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Spynks 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 Spynks have been found, including Spink, Spinks, Spinkes, Spink and others.

Early Notables of the Spynks family

Nathaniel Spinckes (1653-1727), English nonjuror, born in 1653 at Castor in Northamptonshire, where his father, Edmund Spinckes, was rector of the parish. "Spinckes' high character and varied learning gave him a leading position among the nonjuring divines; he was entrusted with the management...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Spynks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Spynks 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 powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Spynks surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: William Spinke who settled in Barbados in 1654; George Spinke settled in New York with five children in 1823; Samuel Spink settled in Bristol, R.I. in 1823.