NameCensus.

UK surname

Pinches

An archaic term for wrinkles or pucker, likely referring to someone's facial features or occupation.

In the 1881 census there were 527 people recorded with the Pinches surname, ranking it #6,503 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 949, ranked #6,049, up from #6,503 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington and Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Dudley, Bridgend and Shropshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Pinches is 1,041 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 80.1%.

1881 census count

527

Ranked #6,503

Modern count

949

2016, ranked #6,049

Peak year

1998

1,041 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Pinches had 527 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,503 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 949 in 2016, ranked #6,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 922 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Pinches surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Pinches surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Pinches 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 367 #6,469
1861 historical 373 #6,841
1881 historical 527 #6,503
1891 historical 645 #6,016
1901 historical 767 #5,836
1911 historical 922 #4,858
1997 modern 973 #5,621
1998 modern 1,041 #5,480
1999 modern 1,019 #5,625
2000 modern 1,012 #5,629
2001 modern 1,000 #5,578
2002 modern 1,002 #5,675
2003 modern 984 #5,662
2004 modern 974 #5,719
2005 modern 972 #5,661
2006 modern 967 #5,709
2007 modern 933 #5,922
2008 modern 931 #5,980
2009 modern 956 #5,972
2010 modern 980 #5,972
2011 modern 965 #5,987
2012 modern 942 #6,026
2013 modern 949 #6,084
2014 modern 969 #6,021
2015 modern 953 #6,058
2016 modern 949 #6,049

Geography

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Where Pinches' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington, Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace, Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken and Walsall. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Dudley, Bridgend, Shropshire and Oldham. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Shrewsbury St Chad, Wroxeter, Atcham, Berrington Shropshire
3 Shrewsbury St Alkmond, St Julian, St Mary (pt), Meole Brace Shropshire
4 Coventry Holy Trinity (incl. Radford), Coventry St Michael, Wyken Warwickshire
5 Walsall Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Dudley 017 Dudley
2 Bridgend 004 Bridgend
3 Shropshire 030 Shropshire
4 Dudley 021 Dudley
5 Oldham 029 Oldham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Pinches

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Pinches

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Pinches is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Pinches is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Pinches falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Pinches

The surname Pinches originated in England, with roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to be an occupational name derived from the Old French word "pincher," which means "to pinch or nip." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who performed a task involving pinching or nipping, such as a cloth worker or a baker.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Pinches surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire, dated 1195, where it appears as "Richard Pinches." This indicates that the name was already in use during the late 12th century in the southwestern region of England.

In the 13th century, the Pinches surname appears in various medieval records, including the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, which mentions a "William Pinches." This suggests that the name had spread to other parts of the country by this time.

During the 14th century, the Pinches surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, dated 1327, where a "John Pinches" is recorded. This document provides evidence of the name's presence in the West Midlands region of England.

One notable figure with the Pinches surname was Sir Thomas Pinches (1548-1617), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire in the early 17th century. Another prominent individual was John Pinches (1784-1855), a British engraver and medalist known for his work on coins and medals during the reign of King George III.

In the 18th century, the Pinches surname was associated with the village of Pinchbeck in Lincolnshire, which may have influenced the spelling variation "Pinchbeck." This connection is evidenced by the birth of Christopher Pinchbeck (1670-1732), a renowned English clockmaker and inventor of the eponymous Pinchbeck alloy.

Another noteworthy individual was Edward Pinches (1835-1919), a British lawyer and antiquarian who served as the chief engraver at the British Museum. He was renowned for his expertise in cuneiform inscriptions and made significant contributions to the study of ancient Mesopotamian languages.

The Pinches surname has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Pinches Green in Gloucestershire and Pinches Farm in Worcestershire, further solidifying its historical roots in these regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Pinches families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Pinches 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. Shropshire leads with 212 Pinches' recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.73x.

County Total Index
Shropshire 212 47.73x
Staffordshire 73 4.21x
Herefordshire 49 23.25x
Middlesex 47 0.91x
Warwickshire 24 1.85x
Devon 21 1.96x
Lancashire 21 0.34x
Yorkshire 18 0.35x
Worcestershire 12 1.79x
Cheshire 8 0.71x
Lincolnshire 8 0.97x
Kent 7 0.40x
Wiltshire 6 1.32x
Flintshire 5 3.62x
Montgomeryshire 5 4.24x
Surrey 5 0.20x
Radnorshire 3 7.23x
Gloucestershire 2 0.20x
Monmouthshire 1 0.27x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walsall Foreign in Staffordshire leads with 25 Pinches' recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.89x.

Place Total Index
Walsall Foreign 25 27.89x
Ratlinghope 18 3750.00x
Dawley 17 105.20x
Wombridge 15 273.72x
Church Stretton 14 469.80x
Shrewsbury St Mary 12 68.49x
Wednesfield 11 43.07x
Leintwardine 10 465.12x
St Marylebone London 10 3.64x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 9 18.96x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 4.89x
Aston 8 2.24x
Bettws 8 824.74x
Ealing 8 17.41x
Norton Canes 8 126.58x
Shoreditch London 8 3.59x
Smethcott 8 1600.00x
Stoke 8 184.76x
Wrockwardine 8 81.88x
Atcham 7 972.22x
Claverley 7 233.33x
Holmer 7 184.21x
Longnor 7 2000.00x
Broseley 6 76.05x
Clerkenwell London 6 4.94x
Eardisley 6 394.74x
Meole Brace 6 260.87x
Middlewich 6 256.41x
Sedgley 6 9.31x
Shrewsbury St Chad 6 38.49x
St Anne Soho London 6 20.44x
Steeple Ashton 6 487.80x
Upper Penn 6 137.93x
Wellington 6 24.04x
Westbury 6 262.01x
Yarpole 6 566.04x
Berrington 5 287.36x
Brampton Bryan 5 666.67x
East Stonehouse 5 23.72x
Foleshill 5 36.66x
Frodesley 5 1219.51x
Madeley 5 30.71x
Mold Bistree 5 222.22x
Norbury 5 757.58x
St Pancras London 5 1.21x
Tregynon 5 400.00x
Birmingham 4 0.93x
Coventry St Michael 4 9.60x
Dodderhill 4 139.86x
Folkestone 4 11.76x
Kensington London 4 1.40x
Kington 4 76.63x
Leominster 4 45.87x
Lindridge 4 235.29x
Lingen 4 769.23x
Plymouth St Andrew 4 4.85x
Stoke Damerel 4 5.34x
Stoke Prior 4 96.62x
Wales 4 99.50x
Woolstaston 4 2352.94x
Ardwick 3 5.45x
Boston 3 12.03x
Condover 3 95.85x
Coventry Holy Trinity 3 7.75x
Grinshill 3 491.80x
Hereford All Sts 3 31.06x
Horncastle 3 35.38x
Kingsland 3 160.43x
Lambeth 3 0.67x
Nether Hallam 3 4.35x
Rodd Nash Little 3 967.74x
Stokesay 3 229.01x
Widnes 3 6.82x
Wolverhampton 3 2.25x
Canterbury St Mary 2 16.99x
Cardington 2 198.02x
Kingswinford 2 3.17x
Manchester 2 0.73x
North Meols 2 3.35x
West Bromwich 2 2.01x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 35
Elizabeth 30
Sarah 24
Ann 12
Eliza 12
Jane 12
Emma 11
Hannah 9
Alice 6
Annie 6
Ellen 5
Emily 5
Susan 5
Charlotte 4
Clara 4
Fanny 4
Harriet 4
Margaret 4
Agnes 3
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Harriett 3
Jessie 3
Louisa 3
Lydia 3
Susanah 3
Amy 2
Edith 2
Elizth. 2
Frances 2
Lizzie 2
Martha 2
Matilda 2
Nellie 2
Nelly 2
Adelaide 1
Amailia 1
Amelia 1
Bertha 1
Betsey 1
Bifena 1
Emalena 1
Evalina 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Lucy 1
Maggie 1
Marey 1
Tryphena 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Thomas 39
John 36
William 32
George 20
Richard 15
James 13
Samuel 7
Charles 6
Edward 6
Henry 6
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Edwin 3
Francis 3
Joseph 3
Timothy 3
Arthur 2
Benjamin 2
Ebenezer 2
Ernest 2
Frederick 2
Isaiah 2
Jesse 2
Josiah 2
Noah 2
Silas 2
Theophilus 2
Thos. 2
Willm. 2
Wm. 2
Alick 1
Andrew 1
Anne 1
Chas. 1
Conrad 1
Constantine 1
Dan. 1
Emanuel 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Geo.H. 1
Geo.W. 1
Geoffrey 1
Harry 1
Isiah 1
Jabez 1
Jno. 1
Richd 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Pinches surname: questions and answers

How common was the Pinches surname in 1881?

In 1881, 527 people were recorded with the Pinches surname. That placed it at #6,503 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Pinches surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 949 in 2016. That gives Pinches a modern rank of #6,049.

What does the Pinches surname mean?

An archaic term for wrinkles or pucker, likely referring to someone's facial features or occupation.

What does the Pinches map show?

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