TENCH
Tench
Origin and Meaning: Tench is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "tenche", which refers to a type of fish native to Europe. The name may have originally been a nickname for a fisherman or someone who lived near a body of water where tench were found.
Distribution and Frequency: The surname Tench is relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom. It is most prevalent in the southern regions of England, particularly in counties such as Sussex, Kent, and Surrey.
Notable Bearers:
- Brian Tench (1921–2007): British ornithologist known for his extensive contributions to the study of bird behaviour.
- Trevor Tench (b. 1955): British composer and pianist noted for his innovative approach to jazz music.
Variants: Variants of the surname Tench include Tinch and Tenche. Over time, the spelling of the surname may have been altered due to regional accents or clerical errors.
Coat of Arms: The Tench family does not have an official coat of arms registered with the College of Arms. However, individuals with the surname Tench may have their own unique coats of arms if they are able to trace their genealogy to a specific heraldic design.
References:
- Hanks, Patrick, et al. The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press, 2016.
- Reaney, P. H., and Wilson, R. M. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 1991.
There are approximately 859 people named Tench in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,324th most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Tench.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Christopher
- Dan
- David
- Ian
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Alison
- Allison
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Helen
- Joan
- Kate
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Suzanne