NameCensus.

UK surname

Hinch

An English surname derived from the Old English "hinc" meaning hinge, likely referring to a maker of hinges.

In the 1881 census there were 344 people recorded with the Hinch surname, ranking it #8,864 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 523, ranked #9,679, down from #8,864 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Clee, Gainsborough, Paddocks and Peterborough St John the Baptist. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lincoln, Rutland and Huntingdonshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hinch is 554 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 52.0%.

1881 census count

344

Ranked #8,864

Modern count

523

2016, ranked #9,679

Peak year

1998

554 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hinch had 344 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,864 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 523 in 2016, ranked #9,679.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 510 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Hinch surname distribution map

The map shows where the Hinch surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Hinch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hinch over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 202 #10,323
1861 historical 370 #6,899
1881 historical 344 #8,864
1891 historical 380 #9,231
1901 historical 407 #9,374
1911 historical 510 #7,718
1997 modern 524 #8,989
1998 modern 554 #8,876
1999 modern 548 #9,012
2000 modern 543 #9,044
2001 modern 527 #9,097
2002 modern 510 #9,500
2003 modern 501 #9,471
2004 modern 489 #9,652
2005 modern 477 #9,764
2006 modern 484 #9,709
2007 modern 480 #9,860
2008 modern 488 #9,827
2009 modern 486 #10,069
2010 modern 498 #10,091
2011 modern 489 #10,125
2012 modern 487 #10,061
2013 modern 498 #10,049
2014 modern 513 #9,899
2015 modern 526 #9,654
2016 modern 523 #9,679

Geography

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Where Hinchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Clee, Gainsborough, Paddocks, Peterborough St John the Baptist, Liddington, Seaton (Thorpe) and Chesterfield. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lincoln, Rutland, Huntingdonshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and West Lindsey. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Clee Lincolnshire
2 Gainsborough, Paddocks Lincolnshire
3 Peterborough St John the Baptist Northamptonshire
4 Liddington, Seaton (Thorpe) Rutland
5 Chesterfield Derbyshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lincoln 011 Lincoln
2 Rutland 001 Rutland
3 Huntingdonshire 004 Huntingdonshire
4 East Riding of Yorkshire 019 East Riding of Yorkshire
5 West Lindsey 001 West Lindsey

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hinch

These lists show first names that appear often with the Hinch surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hinch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hinch, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Hinch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Hinch household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Hinch is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hinch is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hinch falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hinch is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hinch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hinch

The surname HINCH has its origins in England, with the earliest recorded instances dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "henc," meaning "hinge" or "haunch," suggesting a connection to an occupation or physical characteristic.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Robert de Hynch, who is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1273. This document provides valuable insight into the taxation and financial records of the time, indicating the presence of the HINCH surname in northern England during the medieval period.

In the 14th century, the surname appears to have spread across England, with records showing variations such as Hench, Hynch, and Hynche. The Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279 list a William Hench, while the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1301 mention a John Hynch.

The HINCH surname has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. In the 16th century, John Hinch (c. 1515-1583) was an English Protestant martyr who was burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions for his religious beliefs. His story has been documented in various historical accounts, including John Foxe's "Book of Martyrs."

Another prominent figure bearing the HINCH surname was Sir Edward Hinch (1590-1658), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the English Civil War. He was a staunch Royalist and supported King Charles I during the conflict.

In the 18th century, Richard Hinch (1720-1795) was an Irish-born soldier who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. He played a significant role in several battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston.

The HINCH surname has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Hinch in Suffolk and Hinchley in Surrey. These locations may have influenced the development and spread of the surname, as people often adopted surnames derived from the places they lived or originated from.

Throughout its history, the HINCH surname has been associated with various occupations, including farming, carpentry, and metalworking, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and trades of its bearers. While the name has undergone some spelling variations over the centuries, it has maintained its distinctive roots and continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hinch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hinch surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 90 Hinchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.68x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 90 2.68x
Lincolnshire 73 13.49x
Derbyshire 20 3.77x
Lancashire 20 0.50x
Rutland 20 80.48x
Kent 19 1.65x
Northamptonshire 19 5.97x
Berkshire 13 5.12x
Middlesex 10 0.30x
Leicestershire 9 2.40x
Staffordshire 8 0.70x
Gloucestershire 7 1.05x
Nottinghamshire 7 1.53x
Herefordshire 6 4.32x
Huntingdonshire 6 8.93x
Norfolk 6 1.15x
Buckinghamshire 3 1.47x
Devon 2 0.28x
Royal Navy 2 4.96x
Cheshire 1 0.13x
Hampshire 1 0.14x
Isle of Man 1 1.59x
Somerset 1 0.18x
Surrey 1 0.06x
Sussex 1 0.18x
Worcestershire 1 0.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Attercliffe Cum Darnall in Yorkshire leads with 26 Hinchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 83.20x.

Place Total Index
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 26 83.20x
Grasby 14 2916.67x
Peterborough 12 52.06x
Chesterfield 9 45.29x
Eltham 9 132.94x
Liddington 9 1475.41x
Burton Upon Trent 8 29.93x
Eaton Hastings 8 5333.33x
Rotherham 8 42.31x
Stoke Dry 8 10000.00x
Swine 8 3478.26x
Leeds 7 3.70x
Nether Hallam 7 15.43x
Nuthall 7 409.36x
Sheffield 7 6.56x
Bristol St James St Paul 6 27.10x
Kimbolton 6 422.54x
Liverpool 6 2.46x
Newton In Makerfield 6 48.78x
Bodenham 5 490.20x
Cleethorpes 5 157.23x
Fairfield 5 141.24x
Goulsbey 5 1724.14x
Hockham 5 847.46x
Leicester All Sts 5 67.84x
Nettleton 5 892.86x
Northfleet 5 49.16x
St Maryle Wigford 5 119.05x
Tetney 5 537.63x
Brigsley 4 2500.00x
Buscot 4 930.23x
Eyam 4 270.27x
Islip 4 606.06x
Leicester St Margaret 4 4.37x
Newington 4 43.29x
St Luke London 4 7.37x
St Peterat Gowts Lincoln 4 52.56x
West Ravendale 4 5714.29x
Ashby Cum Fenby 3 967.74x
Bradfield 3 23.20x
Failsworth 3 32.64x
Great Driffield 3 43.60x
Hardmead 3 2727.27x
Hemingbrough 3 454.55x
Humberstone 3 967.74x
Louth 3 24.19x
North Kelsey 3 306.12x
Paddington London 3 2.41x
Sculcoates 3 5.64x
Searby Cum Owmby 3 1200.00x
Wellingborough 3 18.74x
York All Sts North 3 180.72x
Ashton Under Lyne 2 2.28x
Crowland 2 59.00x
Royal Navy 2 5.80x
Skirbeck 2 66.01x
Wing 2 540.54x
York St Nicholas In 2 105.82x
Blackburn 1 0.94x
Bowling 1 3.01x
Bristol St Paul In 1 5.66x
Butleigh 1 111.11x
Byford 1 400.00x
Ealing 1 3.31x
Ecclesall Bierlow 1 1.47x
Harrietsham 1 126.58x
Hedon 1 88.50x
Holdenhurst 1 5.49x
Keymer 1 24.81x
Kirkdale 1 1.48x
Lee 1 5.96x
Lower Bebington 1 22.52x
Matlock 1 14.06x
North Walsham 1 26.67x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 1.84x
Roos 1 161.29x
Rothwell 1 333.33x
Scarborough 1 3.28x
Sittingbourne 1 10.96x
Uppingham 1 33.78x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hinch surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 38
Elizabeth 22
Sarah 18
Annie 13
Jane 9
Emily 6
Rebecca 5
Alice 4
Ann 4
Eliza 4
Ellen 4
Martha 4
Edith 3
Emma 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Louisa 3
Anne 2
Charlotte 2
Clara 2
Esther 2
Harriet 2
Margaret 2
Marianne 2
Nellie 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Ada 1
Adah 1
Angelina 1
Betsey 1
Betsy 1
Cecilia 1
Eleanor 1
Elizth. 1
Fanny 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Ida 1
Jessie 1
Lilian 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
M. 1
Maria 1
Rebacca 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Susanah 1
Winefred 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hinch surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 22
George 19
Thomas 17
William 16
Arthur 8
James 8
Charles 7
Henry 5
Philip 5
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Richard 3
Frank 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Robert 2
Wm. 2
Allen 1
Arther 1
Benjamin 1
Charity 1
Chas. 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Ephraim 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Frederic 1
Geo. 1
Herbert 1
Jesse 1
Jno. 1
Joe 1
Jonas 1
Mathew 1
Matthew 1
Oliver 1
Robt. 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Thos.Wm. 1

FAQ

Hinch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hinch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 344 people were recorded with the Hinch surname. That placed it at #8,864 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hinch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 523 in 2016. That gives Hinch a modern rank of #9,679.

What does the Hinch surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Old English "hinc" meaning hinge, likely referring to a maker of hinges.

What does the Hinch map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hinch bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.