Finch family overview
My surname is Finch and my branch of the family comes from the counties of Surrey and Sussex in southern England. Click on the names of my ancestors to find out more about them.
My known Finch ancestors are:
- My grandparents.
Gerald Wilfred Finch (1907-1995) married Norfolk native Gertrude Maud Daisy Stolliday (1906-1992) and had a son. Gerald worked in and co-owned the family bakery business in Croydon, Surrey.
- My great-grandparents.
Walter Finch (1872-1949) married fellow Reigate resident Annie Budgen (1875-1980). Walter set up the family bakery business in Croydon while Annie lived until she was 105.
- My 2nd great-grandparents.
Isaac Finch (1837-1896) married Phoebe Ann Ward (1836-1921), who came from Tottenham in Middlesex. They met when she moved south to work as a servant.
- My 3rd great-grandparents.
Henry Finch (1801-1885) married Chipstead-born Jane Bashford (1806-1885). They lived in Reigate, Surrey, where Henry worked as an agricultural labourer.
- My 4th great-grandparents.
Thomas Finch (1768-1845) married Ann Burley (1775-1850) – both of them from Reigate in Surrey. He was probably a carpenter.
- My 5th great-grandparents.
Thomas Finch (1738-1813) and Mary Bilcliffe (1735-1783). Thomas was a carpenter and came from Slinfold in Sussex but died in Reigate after marrying for a second time.
- My 6th great-grandparents.
John Finch (1711-1795) and Sarah King (1713-1753). John was born in to a carpentry family and lost his first wife relatively early in their marriage. He married again.
- My 7th great-grandparents.
William Finch (1685-1765) and Elizabeth Puttock (1688-1743). William was another carpenter and could well be the first of the Finches to live and work in Slinfold, Sussex.
- My 8th great-grandparents.
John Finch (1653-1709) and Sarah Richardson (????-1725). Carpenter John was born in Rusper, Sussex; I’ve not found a baptism for Sarah.
- My 9th great-grandparents.
John Finch (1616-1673) and Mary Bishop (16??-1670). They lived through the English Civil War but their origins are murky.
Finch as a name is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, from the Old English pre-7th century ‘fink’, the finch bird, and according to the experts has several interpretations. It could be an occupational name for a breeder of finches or for one who caught and sold them as songbirds. The name may also have originated as a nickname for a colourful person or one with a beautiful singing voice.
The surname is recorded as far back as the mid-11th century and can be found in the variations Fink, Ffinch, Vink and Vinck among many others. The first recorded spelling is that of Godric Finc, dated 1049, in the Olde English Byname Register during the reign of Edward the Confessor. Whether I’m related to any of them remains to be seen…
I am a descendant of William Finch (1762-1842) and Philadelphia Hunt, one of two couples by the names of William and Philadelphia Finch registered at the Parish Church of St. Mary, Willesden during the late 1700s to early 1800s. I am reasonably certain that William’s father was the William Finch who was a victualler who lived on Brewer St. (now Paget St.) in Islington circa 1774.
I am currently trying to sort out the tangled knot of Finch families who lived in Clerkenwell and area. Judging by the names of neighbours, it appears that a number of families (possibly related) moved to Croydon in the mid 1700s. My guess is that there differences in belief may have separated families: at least two generations of my ancestors were non-conformists, though I have as yet been unable to discern what the nature of their non-conformity might have been.
William and Philadelphia were married, and baptised all of their children at St. Mary’s Willesden, and their son John and grandson Robert maintained some connection with that church as well, though both were buried at Bunhill Fields–therefore likely not Church of England.
My guess is that certain churches (Old St. Pancras is one) were either tolerant or sympathetic to dissidents.
If any of this connects with your research, I would be very happy to know what you have found out.
Regards,
Peter H. Finch
Hi Peter
Thank you for your email and the information about William and Philadelphia.
I’ve yet to find any of my Finch ancestors linked to Willesden, Clerkenwell or Islington. Other branches of my family, however, did come from various parts of north London although this sounds like it would be of no use to your research.
The Finch/Croydon connection for me is not really evident until the start of the 20th century when Walter Finch moved there with his family. My Finch branch appears to have originated more in Sussex than north of the Thames.
So it appears we don’t have a huge amount in common – at least yet!
On another matter entirely, I used to live right near Bunhill fields. I used to love wandering through that cemetery…
Good luck with your research.
Stephen
My name is Donna finch. My dad is Alex finch, and I don’t know My finch family but would love to. I was born in Islington London. Email donnacarolinefinch@gmail.com
I came across this site whilst investigating my Clemente family from Nutfield, Surrey.
Your 12x great grandfather John Butching (detailed as Buchin on FMP) was married to Amy Clemente, son of John Clemente. I haven’t found their marriage but Amy and her son (also called John Buchin) are mentioned in her fathers will. John Clemente is my 12x great grandfather.
Hope this helps you.
Caroline
Hi Caroline. Sorry for the delay in replying but I’d like to thank you for this excellent info! I’ve been struggling for some time to find this exact info so it’s really helpful. I will look into getting a copy of the will.
Thanks again.
Stephen
My husband is a finch his mother name is Ruth Edwina Finch and father name is Allan Lloyd nadin please email me if you have any more to go on about the family history please
Hi Shelley
Sorry but these names don’t ring a bell. Where did they come from?
Stephen