This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the finch.' Middle English finch (v. Spink); compare Goldfinch and Goldspink.

Philip Fynch, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Thomas Finch, Cambridgeshire., 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Agnes Finche, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Thomas Fynche, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Fynche, 1379: ibid.

(English) 1 the Anglo-Saxon pers. name Finc = Finch.

2 a Middle English nickname from the bird [Middle English finch, fynch, O. English finc, a finch]

(English) Dweller at the sign of the finch; the simple-minded person.

Perhaps a corruption of Vincent. Vincent Herbert of Winchelsea, 20 Edw. I. bore the alias of Finch. The early pedigree of the Earl of Winchelsea's family is very obscure. Their former surname was Herbert, and one of the earliest if not the first who was known as Finch was this very Vincent. In support of this notion I may add, from Collins, that the family had previously borne their father's name, as Herbertus filius Herberti, &c. In the H.R. the spelling is Fynch; in 13 Edw. III., Vynche. In Sussex the baptismal name Vincent is often corrupted to Winch or Vinch.

A small singing bird.

Is the same name as Finch. Finch was a proprietor in Douglas; whence Finch Road.

An English sobriquet converted into a surname. It no doubt included families of various origin, Norman and otherwise.

Or De Vendôme. Acfred, Baron of Preuilly, founder of Preuilly Abbey, Anjou, m. Beatrice of Issodun (Anselme, viii. 723, &c.; Gall. Christ. xiv. 55,302). His son, grandson, and greatgrandson were all named Geoffry. The latter became, 1085, Count of Vendôme. From his elder son descended the Counts of V. Geoffry, the second, accompanied Geoffry Count of Anjou in his invasion of Normandy, 1136, and had issue Herbert de Vendôme, who came to England with Henry II., and is mentioned in a charter of Count Burchard of V. as his relative (Gall. Christ. xiv. 324). He had two sons, William de V., one of the nuncii of Henry III. (Hardy, Lit. Claus.), and Herbert de Vendôme or Veneum, who in 1203 paid a fine (Rotulus Cancellarii). John Fitz- Herbert his son held lands in Kent in capite (Testa de Neville), and bad issue Herbert Fitz-Herbert, surnamed Le Finch, living 1299 and 1801, who held in capite in Kent. Herbert Fitz-H. his son was father of Vin­cent Herbert or Finch, ancestor of the Earls of Winchilsea, and Lord Finch of Fordwich.

From the Flemish, Finch; from the Dutch, Finke; a personal name.

Finch: probably the sign of a birdseller, or Burder. The training and sale of bullfinches was the occupation of a special tradesman, also called a Fincher. The story is told of a certain damsel, that she once dreamed of finding a nest containing seven young finches, which in course of time was realized by her becoming the wife of a Mr. Finch and mother of seven children. From one of these nestlings is descended the present Earl of Winchelsea, who is a Finch. Probably, however, Finch is but a contraction of Fincher.

The family of Finch of Redheath, Watford, during last century, had been in that neighbourhood since the reign of Henry VIII. (Cus.). The name of Finch was well represented in the eastern counties of Norfolk, Lincoln, Cambridge, and Bedford, in the reign of Edward I., and there were at that time a few of the name in Shropshire (H. R.). It now occurs also in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.