The first entry shows that there were fairly wealthy Hingstons (or Hingestons) living in East Allington as early as 1524. I am not aware of any attempt to sort out the descent from this family.
Peter Hingston <46walter@onetel.com> writes that, some years ago, he made notes from either Burke or Debrett that Margaret Hingston daughter of William Hingston of Wonnel married John Fortescue of Fallapit [East Allington, Devon]. Their daughter Elizabeth married Lewis Fortescue, baron of the Exchequer, and produced a son John of Fallapit (1525-1595).
On Page 52
"Following her marriage, Elizabeth Fallapit produced only one child who married MARGARET HINGESTON. Margaret was the daughter of a neighbouring family of Henxton or Hingeston mentioned in the tax records of 1524 and again in 1674. These showed the family's wealth was judged at only slightly less than the Fortescues'. Bearing in mind the position of Hingeston Post junction, to which they gave their name, it is most likely the lived at Higher Poole. By 1674 the Hingeston family paid taxes on eight hearths, which suggests they lived at either Cuttery or Fallapit Barton which were the only other houses in the parish at the time"
(Higher Poole Farm is 1000yards NNE of East Allington. The farm house is a listed building.)
On page A2/15.
"The present house was, unusually for this area, built in stone, in the late 17th Century. Although of modest size, consisting of a dairy and kitchen/living room with two rooms above, the style and material mark the house as that of a well to do yeoman farmer. In1649, it was enlarged to twice the original size and the garden enclosed by a high wall."
This is only a partial listing of PR entries
03 Dec 1650 Edward HINGSTON of Venn buried
26 Feb 1685 Rich HINGESTON buried
09 May 1697 Jacob HINGSTON married Alice MADDOCK
20 Aug 1699 Jacob HINGSTON Husbandman buried
25 Feb 1702 Anne daughter of John HINGESTON of Diptford buried
1709 Nicholas Hingston & Anis White married
12 Jun 1709 Alice HINGSTON ,Widd buried
24 Jun 1714 Nicholas HINGSTON or FORD married Agnis WHITE
1715 John Hingston born "Thats all!"
19 Aug 1715 John son of Nicholas HINGESTON or FORD and Agnes his wife baptised (the use of an alias has been checked - CJB)
18 Aug 1717 Elizabeth daughter of Nicholas HINGSTON alias FORD and Mary his wife baptised (note different name for wife)
18? Jan 1722 Jane Hingston w/o John buried.
10 Dec 1722 Sarah d/o Richard & Christian Hingston baptised
28 Jan 1738 Margaret HINGSTON buried
17 May 1796 PHILIP HINGSTON married Dorothy Gillard (DFHS). Dorothy was baptised Oct 26, 1774 in West Alvington (Tree HH#3)
10 Feb 1802 PETER HINGSTON married Grace Cutmore (DFHS) (Tree
HH#6)