Map of England showing where the Hinkle arms are recorded
The Hinkle arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Hinkle arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Chester.
Origin & History of the Hinkle Family in England
The Hinkle family name has deep roots that trace back to the German-speaking regions of Europe, where it originally functioned as a nickname or a shortened form of names like Heinrich. By the early 17th century, members of the family had established a presence in the English city of Chester by 1620. During this era, families often moved across borders for trade opportunities or to seek new religious freedoms. As they settled into their new surroundings, the spelling of the name frequently shifted to match the local pronunciation and the way English clerks recorded it in official documents. This transition from a German linguistic background to an English environment highlights the adaptability of the family as they integrated into a new society. Over the following decades, these early settlers helped establish the name as a permanent part of the local community, setting the stage for future generations to expand further throughout the region.
Hinkle Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Hinkel
A German diminutive form of the name Heinrich meaning home ruler.
This name
HinkleA topographical or occupational surname derived from a small chicken or cockerel.
also spelled
Hinkly
Hinckley
Hinckly
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop's Transcripts for the City of Chester, 1620
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
