The surname "Inch" is of Scottish origin and is a locative name derived from various places named with Old Norse or Gaelic elements meaning "inlet," "point," or "estuary." Some of these places include Inch in Perthshire, Scotland (meaning "isthmus") and Inchmarnock in Ayrshire, Scotland (meaning "church on the inlet"). The name may also be a shortened form of various Scottish names containing the element "inch," such as MacInche or McInnes.
The surname Inch is of Scottish origin, deriving from a place name that has various locations across Scotland, most notably near Dunfermline and Elgin. The name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word "ainch" meaning 'ridge' or 'height', reflecting the geographical features of the original settlements bearing this name. Over time, the name was anglicized as Inch, Innes, or Ingall, with Inch being the most common variant in English-speaking countries. As a surname, Inch is predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland, indicating its historical roots in these regions.
The surname Inch is primarily distributed across several regions globally, with significant concentrations found in Scotland and England due to its origin from these areas. Historically, the name has been associated with the Pictish tribes that inhabited northeastern Scotland before the 9th century. Over time, families bearing the name migrated southwards into England.
In the present day, a notable number of Inch descendants can be found in other English-speaking countries, including Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, as a result of emigration waves over centuries. Although it is most prevalent in the British Isles, the distribution of the surname Inch has been influenced by immigration and colonial expansion, resulting in its presence in various parts of the world.
The surname Inch has various spelling variations, primarily due to regional dialects and historical transcription errors. Some of these include Inche, Ing, Innich, and Inns. These variations may originate from differences in pronunciation over time or from the influence of different languages and alphabets in various regions where the name was carried. Additionally, some individuals might intentionally or unintentionally alter the spelling of their surnames during migrations, assimilation processes, or simply as a result of clerical errors. Despite these variations, all these forms are essentially derivatives of the original surname Inch.
Notable individuals with the surname Inch include:
1. Lillian Inch (1928-1976), an American actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows during the 1940s and 1950s. Some of her notable credits include "The Big Sleep" (1946) and "Peyton Place" (1957).
2. James Inch (born 1963), a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for teams like the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1984 to 1995.
3. Robert Inch (1923-2017), a British actor known for his performances in theater, films, and television. He is perhaps best recognized for portraying King Louis XIV in the Oscar-winning film "Tom Jones" (1963).
4. Randy Inch (born 1967), an American former professional wrestler who competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name "Big Cub." He is a two-time world heavyweight champion and was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame posthumously in 2018.
The surname Inch originates from Scotland and England. It is derived from various places named Inch, which means 'island' in Gaelic. In Scotland, there are multiple locations with this name, including Inch in Perthshire and Inchstrath in Fife. In England, there is an Inch in North Yorkshire near Scarborough. The earliest recorded instance of the surname dates back to the 13th century in Scotland, where a William de Inche appears in records from around 1225. Over the centuries, the spelling of the name has evolved to include various forms such as Inch, Inches, Innes, and Ingham, due to factors like regional dialects and recording methods. The surname Inch is found primarily in Scotland and England, but its descendants have also migrated to other countries, particularly during periods of mass emigration from the British Isles, such as the 19th century.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > incaurgarat
The surname Incaurgarat is believed to have origins in the Basque region of Spain. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it originally referred to someone from a specific place. In th...
surnames > ince
The surname "Ince" is of Old English origin. It is derived from a variety of sources, some of which include: 1. Topographic names for someone who lived by a river junction (from O...
surnames > inchauspe
The last name Inchauspe is of Basque origin. It is derived from the Basque word "etxe" meaning "house" and "handi" meaning "large" or "great." Therefore, Inchauspe roughly translat...
surnames > inchaustegui-ramos
The last name "Inchaustegui" is of Basque origin, specifically from the Basque country in northern Spain and southwestern France. It is derived from the Basque words "intxausti" me...
surnames > inchiparambil
The last name Inchiparambil is of Indian origin. It is a surname commonly found in the state of Kerala in southern India.
surnames > inchusta
The surname Inchusta appears to have Spanish origins. It is derived from a place name or topographic feature, likely referring to a location with a dry, stony soil or a place named...
surnames > incidente
The last name "incidente" originates from the Italian word "incidente," which means "incident" or "event." This last name might have been given to someone who was involved in a not...
surnames > inclan
The surname Inclán is of Spanish origin and is derived from the word "inclinación," which means inclination or slope in Spanish. The name likely originated as a locational surnam...
surnames > incognito
The surname Incognito is derived from the Italian language. It translates to "unknown" or "incognito," which refers to someone who is disguised or whose identity is concealed. This...
surnames > incomplete
The last name "Incomplete" likely originated as a descriptive or occupational surname, referring to someone who was perceived as lacking or unfinished in some way. It could also ha...
surnames > incorvaia
The last name "Incorvaia" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Greek word "korvos," meaning curved or crooked, and was likely used to describe someone with a curving or twi...