TRENCH
Trench
Surname Origin: English, Irish
Pronunciation: /trɛnʧ/
Meaning: The British surname Trench is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word "trenchier," meaning "to cut or carve." It is likely that the original bearers of this surname worked as cooks or butchers.
History: The surname Trench has a dual origin, with one branch originating in England and the other in Ireland. In England, the name first appeared in records dating back to the 13th century. The Trench family held lands in West Yorkshire, and their descendants later spread to other parts of England.
In Ireland, the Trench family played a prominent role in Irish history. The most well-known bearer of the Trench surname was Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–1886), an Archbishop of Dublin and a noted poet. The Irish branch of the Trench family held estates in counties Galway and Roscommon and played a key role in local politics for generations.
Notable Individuals:
- Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–1886): Archbishop of Dublin and poet.
- Frederick Trench (1723–1794): British Army officer and politician.
- Melesina Trench (1768–1827): British author and socialite.
Variants: Variants of the surname Trench include Trenche, Trencha, and Trensh.
Coat of Arms: The Trench coat of arms features a shield with red and silver alternating vertical stripes and a golden lion rampant on top.
Modern Distribution: The surname Trench is relatively rare but can still be found in various parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
References:
- Harrison, Henry. Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary. Genealogical Publishing Company, 2013.
- Trench, Henry M. Family Records. Privately published, 1916.
There are approximately 639 people named Trench in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around ten in a million people in Britain are named Trench.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
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
- Alan
- Andrew
- Brian
- David
- Jack
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- William
Female
- Ann
- Claire
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Janice
- Julie
- Kerry
- Margaret
- Mary
- Sandra
- Sarah
- Susan