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Recorded as Hutchen, Hutchin, Huchin, Hutchence, Hutchens, Hutchins, Huchings and Hutchinges, this is an English surname although ultimately of Norman-French and even Germanic origins. It derives from the medieval given name "Huchin", a diminutive of the personal name "Hugh", introduced into Britain by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. This originates from the pre 5th century Germanic word "hug", meaning "heart, mind or, spirit". The suffix "s" where it exists denotes "son of". The surname dates back to the early 14th Century (see below), and other early recordings include: Richard Huchins in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327; Edith Huchenes in the Subsidy Rolls of Staffordshire for the same date; and John Huchouns in the Court Rolls of the borough of Colchester in 1357. Recordings from the church registers of Greater London include: the christening of Elizabeth, daughter of Wylliam Hutchinges, on January 2nd 1585, at St. Giles' Cripplegate, and the christening of Alice Hutchens at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, on August 14th 1597. A coat of arms associated with the surname has the blazon of a gold tower embattled, on a red shield, the crest being a red lion's head, crowned gold. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Gilbert Huchun. This was dated 1296, in the Subsidy Tax rolls of Sussex, during the reign of King Edward 1st, and known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.