Surname Inches - Meaning and Origin
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Inches: What does the surname Inches mean?
The last name Inches originated in England during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French phrase "enfinch" which means "at the edge." It was likely an occupational surname given to a person who was a border guard or was involved in property division. Another possible root for this name is the Old Norse phrase "in", which translates to "the island". This could indicate that the original family was located on a small island.
The Inches family has experienced a long and varied history. During the Middle Ages, they served in positions of power and influence within their respective communities. In later centuries, some members moved to the United States and played a major role in shaping the early history of our nation.
Today, many of the Inches family are business owners, professionals, and members of the military. In their spare time, they might be found fishing, playing music, or hiking through the hills. It is no surprise that such an enterprising and adventurous family has such a robust legacy.
No matter how the family members choose to spend their time, the name Inches stands for a spirit of unity and initiative that has been upheld for centuries. It is a reminder that no matter where you are in life, success can be achieved with resilience and hard work.
Order DNA origin analysisInches: Where does the name Inches come from?
The last name Inches is thought to have originated from the name of a village near Lincolnshire, England. This is supported by a line from the Doomsday Book of 1086 which names someone called Inga as having lived in the village. Over time, it is believed that Inga’s descendants adapted the name to Inches, which eventually became a hereditary surname.
The Inches surname can generally be found in the British Isles, particularly in the counties of Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Surrey, Essex, Derbyshire, and Cambridgeshire. It is a lesser known surname, but it does have some notable examples in the British Isles, such as commentator and historian Henry Ince who wrote commentaries on 16th and 17th century plays and comedies.
The surname has also spread to other parts of the world. Today, Inches is a somewhat common surname in Canada, Australia, and the United States. In the United States, Inches is the 1602nd most common surname, with around 3,500 people boasting it. This includes reality TV star Jack Inches, who starred in 'Bananas in Pyjamas' and 'The Wiggles' in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He has since gone on to become a cultural and artistic director in the UK.
Variations of the surname Inches
The surname Inches can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These might include Inche, Inshe, Inch, Insh, Inste, Inshay, and Inshee. The most common spelling in Scotland is Inches, while the other forms appear in England.
Inche is a variant of Inches found in southern England. Inshe is a variant of the surname found in Northern England, while Inch is found mostly in the midlands. Insh is the Scottish spelling of Inches, although Inste is a phonetic spelling used in the Isles of Man and England. Inshay is a variant of Inches found on Orkney, Scotland. Lastly, Inshee is the simplest spelling of Inches found in Scotland and Ireland.
The surnames of Inche and Inshe are of Anglo-Saxon origin, and may be derived from the Old English words "ynche" and "inse", both of which mean "edge" or "rim". Inches, Insh, and Inshee are of Scottish origin, and may refer to someone who lived near an incline or hill, or an area of higher elevation. Inste is also of Scottish origin, and may refer to someone who lived on a steep incline or hill. Inshay is of the Old Norse origin, and is derived from the word "inskegg", which means "beard-like".
No matter the spelling, Inches is ultimately derived from the Old English words "ynche" and "inse", and all of its variants can be traced back to the same origins.
Famous people with the name Inches
- Josh Inches: drummer for the multi-platinum award-winning heavy metal band Disturbed.
- Cave Inches: musician and radio DJ, best known for his BBC Radio 1 show, Along The Inches.
- Roger Inches: professional golfer, member of the PGA Tour from 1975-1999.
- Lewis Inches: a British singer/songwriter, most notably known for the song ‘A Star in the dark’ which reached number three in the UK charts.
- Sabrina Inches: American actor best known for her roles in the television series ‘Friends’ and ‘Will & Grace’.
- Renee Inches: Canadian musician, songwriter and producer, member of the country-pop duo Inches & Steele.
- Wes Inches: an American record producer and songwriter with credits on multiple Top 10 radio hits.
- Brin Inches: an English novelist whose books include ‘The Last Visionary’ and ‘The Kill Order’.
- Alaina Inches: an American YouTube personality and makeup artist with a monthly subscription box.
- Tristan Inches: a multisport athlete, competing in the Luge, Snowboard, and Ski Racing.