Recorded as Henstridge, Hinstridge, and in earlier times Henkstridge, Henckstridge, and Hinkstridge, this is an English locational surname. It originates from the village now known as Henstridge in the county of Somerset. This ancient village pre dates the famous Domesday Book of 1086, by some considerable margin, being recorded as Hengstesrig in the Anglo-Saxon registers of the year 956 a.d. The place name and hence the surname, has absolutely nothing to do with 'hens'. It derives from the Ancient British or pre Roman word and personal name 'Hengest' meaning a stallion, and was originally a breeding centre on a ridge for male horses. To confirm the origin, the village is near to Horsington, which in the same era was recorded as 'Horspegna-tun,' meaning the farm of the horse-keepers. The name is locational which indicates that it has probably travelled widely since medieval times. However in early Stuart times the name was recorded several times at Kilmington also in the county of Somerset. Examples of these recordings include William Henckstridge who married Jone Sandle on February 20th 1608, and at the same place Cicele Hinkstridge who married Nicholas King on November 26th 1621.

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