NameCensus.

UK surname

Kinch

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cinnéidh" meaning descendant or clan.

In the 1881 census there were 586 people recorded with the Kinch surname, ranking it #5,952 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,022, ranked #5,700, up from #5,952 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Fareham, London parishes and Portsmouth, Portsea. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Charnwood, Wiltshire and West Lindsey.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kinch is 1,076 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 74.4%.

1881 census count

586

Ranked #5,952

Modern count

1,022

2016, ranked #5,700

Peak year

2010

1,076 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kinch had 586 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,952 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,022 in 2016, ranked #5,700.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 760 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kinch surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Kinch surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kinch 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 340 #6,905
1861 historical 356 #7,171
1881 historical 586 #5,952
1891 historical 628 #6,158
1901 historical 740 #5,999
1911 historical 760 #5,687
1997 modern 945 #5,744
1998 modern 996 #5,696
1999 modern 1,000 #5,717
2000 modern 1,023 #5,578
2001 modern 1,003 #5,568
2002 modern 1,022 #5,600
2003 modern 977 #5,699
2004 modern 964 #5,772
2005 modern 996 #5,572
2006 modern 966 #5,713
2007 modern 980 #5,702
2008 modern 994 #5,675
2009 modern 1,030 #5,634
2010 modern 1,076 #5,534
2011 modern 1,049 #5,592
2012 modern 1,036 #5,572
2013 modern 1,060 #5,551
2014 modern 1,063 #5,577
2015 modern 1,038 #5,632
2016 modern 1,022 #5,700

Geography

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Where Kinchs are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Fareham, London parishes, Portsmouth, Portsea and Harrow-on-the-Hill. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Charnwood, Wiltshire, West Lindsey and Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West. 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 Fareham Hampshire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 Portsmouth, Portsea Hampshire
5 Harrow-on-the-Hill Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Charnwood 014 Charnwood
2 Wiltshire 004 Wiltshire
3 West Lindsey 007 West Lindsey
4 Wiltshire 013 Wiltshire
5 Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber West Aberdeen City

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kinch

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kinch

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kinch, 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 Kinch surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kinch 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, Kinch 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

Kinch 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

Kinch falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kinch 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 Kinch, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kinch

The surname Kinch is believed to have originated in England, with roots dating back to the medieval period. It is thought to be a locational surname derived from the Old English word "cing," meaning "ridge" or "hill." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a prominent ridge or hilltop.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kinch can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Kinke." This important medieval census, commissioned by William the Conqueror, provides valuable insights into the distribution of surnames and their variations in different regions of England.

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Kinch appeared in various records and documents, often with slight spelling variations such as "Kinche," "Kynche," or "Kynch." These variations likely arose due to regional dialects and the inconsistencies in spelling practices at the time.

Notably, the name Kinch has been associated with several historical figures throughout the centuries. One such figure was William Kinch, a prominent English merchant and trader who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his successful trading ventures and played a significant role in the development of trade relations between England and other European nations.

Another notable individual with the surname Kinch was John Kinch (1616-1679), an English minister and theologian. He was a prominent figure in the Puritan movement and authored several influential works on religious and philosophical topics.

In the 18th century, the name Kinch was associated with Edward Kinch (1723-1783), a respected architect and surveyor. He was responsible for designing several notable buildings in London and its surrounding areas, contributing to the architectural landscape of the time.

The 19th century saw the rise of Sarah Kinch (1853-1923), a pioneering educator and advocate for women's rights. She played a significant role in establishing educational opportunities for women and fought tirelessly for gender equality in education and employment.

Additionally, the name Kinch has been linked to various place names throughout England, such as Kinch Hill in Worcestershire and Kinch Farm in Somerset. These place names further reinforce the locational origins of the surname and its connection to geographical features like ridges and hills.

While the surname Kinch may not be as common as some other English surnames, it has a rich history and has been carried by individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kinch families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kinch 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. Hampshire leads with 90 Kinchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.67x.

County Total Index
Hampshire 90 7.67x
Middlesex 88 1.54x
Northamptonshire 71 13.18x
Oxfordshire 50 14.14x
Sussex 49 5.08x
Berkshire 44 10.24x
Buckinghamshire 26 7.51x
Warwickshire 18 1.25x
Wiltshire 18 3.55x
Lancashire 17 0.25x
Devon 13 1.09x
Gloucestershire 13 1.16x
Leicestershire 12 1.89x
Essex 9 0.80x
Lanarkshire 9 0.49x
Yorkshire 9 0.16x
Surrey 8 0.29x
Durham 6 0.35x
Northumberland 6 0.70x
Derbyshire 5 0.56x
Glamorgan 5 0.50x
Nottinghamshire 4 0.52x
Hertfordshire 3 0.76x
Staffordshire 3 0.16x
Cheshire 2 0.16x
Cornwall 2 0.31x
Kent 2 0.10x
Cumberland 1 0.20x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Huntingdonshire 1 0.88x
Royal Navy 1 1.47x
Worcestershire 1 0.13x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Long Buckby in Northamptonshire leads with 31 Kinchs recorded in 1881 and an index of 622.49x.

Place Total Index
Long Buckby 31 622.49x
Fareham 26 184.40x
Portsea 26 11.30x
Bow London 18 24.69x
Titchfield 15 169.49x
Hannington 14 2258.06x
Cuddesdon 13 1340.21x
Bromley London 12 9.53x
Tormoham 12 23.80x
Wantage 11 160.58x
Southampton St Mary 10 13.55x
Stanford In Vale 10 584.80x
Brighton 9 4.62x
Chelsea London 9 5.22x
Grendon Underwood 9 1153.85x
Lechlade 9 391.30x
Oxford St Giles 9 53.35x
St Marylebone London 9 2.94x
Broadwater 8 36.13x
Great Faringdon 8 129.45x
Iping 8 776.70x
Leominster 8 257.23x
Leicester St Margaret 7 4.52x
Littlehampton 7 90.79x
Northampton St Peter 7 214.07x
West Ham 7 2.81x
Harrow On The Hill 6 52.45x
Oxford St Clement 6 67.26x
Tankersley 6 141.84x
Twyford 6 545.45x
Birmingham 5 1.04x
Brington 5 308.64x
East Lavant 5 632.91x
Fulham London 5 6.02x
Glasgow 5 1.52x
Hillmorton 5 193.80x
Long Eaton 5 42.27x
Margam 5 44.96x
Northampton Priory St 5 15.47x
St Pancras London 5 1.08x
Barony 4 0.85x
Bicester Market End 4 61.63x
Deddington 4 104.17x
Eaton Hastings 4 1538.46x
Fawley 4 107.53x
Morpeth 4 39.92x
Morton Pinkney 4 459.77x
Northampton St Sepulchre 4 14.60x
Norwood 4 30.56x
Nottingham St Mary 4 2.00x
Quainton 4 235.29x
Rotherfield Greys 4 106.95x
St George In East London 4 7.43x
Warwick St Nicholas 4 37.77x
Bozeat 3 128.21x
Camberwell 3 0.82x
Charlbury 3 75.57x
Chorlton On Medlock 3 2.78x
Crick 3 164.84x
Darlington 3 4.56x
Drayton 3 340.91x
Elstree 3 230.77x
Manchester 3 0.98x
North Meols 3 4.51x
St Luke London 3 3.27x
St Mary Kalendar 3 122.95x
Swindon 3 7.64x
Thatcham 3 45.32x
Wargrave 3 81.30x
Westbourne 3 62.37x
Barrow In Furness 2 2.16x
Bradford 2 1.46x
Chelmsford 2 10.31x
Crumpsall 2 12.49x
Heaton Norris 2 5.17x
Kingston On Thames 2 2.98x
Milverton 2 47.28x
Wednesfield 2 7.03x
Welton 2 208.33x
Wymering 2 103.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 30
Elizabeth 28
Sarah 25
Annie 15
Eliza 14
Jane 14
Emily 10
Alice 8
Martha 8
Ann 7
Ellen 7
Harriet 7
Harriett 6
Caroline 5
Fanny 5
Charlotte 4
Clara 4
Edith 4
Kate 4
Catherine 3
Ethel 3
Florence 3
Hannah 3
Maria 3
Rose 3
Agnes 2
Amelia 2
Beatrice 2
Bertha 2
Elizth. 2
L. 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lucy 2
Mercy 2
Rebecca 2
Rosa 2
Ruth 2
Ada 1
Augustra 1
Betsey 1
Eliz. 1
Esther 1
Flora 1
Isabella 1
Johama 1
Laura 1
Lily 1
Lizze 1
Teresa 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 39
Thomas 36
George 23
John 23
Charles 17
Henry 16
Joseph 13
James 11
Frederick 8
Albert 7
Robert 6
Edwin 5
Richard 5
Walter 5
Alfred 4
Edward 3
Geo. 3
Harry 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
David 2
Esau 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Harold 2
Phillip 2
Samuel 2
Ambrose 1
Arron 1
Benjn. 1
Caleb 1
Chales 1
Chas. 1
Daniel 1
Ernest 1
Evan 1
Fred 1
Fredk.C. 1
Geo.A. 1
Isaac 1
J. 1
Jas.H. 1
Jesse 1
Leonard 1
Mathew 1
Maurice 1
Michal 1
Moses 1
Nathaniel 1
Wm.Thos. 1

FAQ

Kinch surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kinch surname in 1881?

In 1881, 586 people were recorded with the Kinch surname. That placed it at #5,952 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kinch surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,022 in 2016. That gives Kinch a modern rank of #5,700.

What does the Kinch surname mean?

A surname derived from the Irish Gaelic word "cinnéidh" meaning descendant or clan.

What does the Kinch map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kinch 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.