Wrinch

Origin and Meaning

Wrinch is a surname of English origin, deriving from the Old English word "wring", meaning to twist or bend. The name may have originally been an occupational surname for someone who worked as a metalworker, jeweller, or blacksmith.

Notable Individuals

1. Dorothy Wrinch (1894-1976)

Dorothy Wrinch was a renowned British-American mathematician and biochemist. She made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and theoretical biology. Wrinch was one of the first women to receive a doctorate in science from the University of Oxford.

Distribution

The surname Wrinch is relatively rare and is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in regions with historically strong ties to metalworking and craftsmanship.

Variants

Variants of the surname Wrinch include Wrench, Wrinche, and Wraunch.

References

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 50 people named Wrinch in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Wrinch.

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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