Recorded originally as Kinchley, Kinchlea, and Kinchlow, this is an English locational surname. It would seem to originate from a village or hamlet of the same name or names, but no such place has been identified anywhere in the United Kingdom. This suggests that either the it is from a now 'lost' medieval village or perhaps a single dwelling, of which the only public memory in the late 20th century would seem to be the surname, or that the surname itself has changed to the point where it is no longer recognizeable. This is possible as the early recordings in the surviving church registers of the city of London would suggest that many name holders descend from one Daniel, who is variously recorded in all the known spellings! For instance he and his wife Mary are first recorded at the church of St Botolphs Bishopgate, on April 20th 1766, when their daughter Margaret was christened. At that time their surname was given as Kinchlow. However two years later at the same church on July 5th 1768, we have the christening of another daughter, Charlotte, and this time the spelling is as Kinchley. Fifty years on on December 14th 1818 we have the recording of John Kinchlea, at St Matthews church, Bethnal Green. He is believed to be the grandson of Daniel Kinchlow or Kinchley. The name would appear to mean 'The royal farm' from the pre 7th century 'cyne-leah', but this is conjecture.

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