Winncester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the Winncester surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in the city of Winchester in Hampshire. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word ventaceaster, meaning the dweller at the Roman fort. 1

"This place, called by the ancient Britons Caer Gwent, from the whiteness of its chalky soil, was the Venta Belgarum of Ptolemy and Antoninus; and on its subsequent occupation by the Saxons, obtained the appellation of Wintan-Ceaster, from which its present name is derived. It was probably first inhabited by the Celtic Britons, who emigrated from the coasts of Armorica, in Gaul, and came to this part of the island, finding well-watered valleys, fertile plains, and shady forests, adapted to their support, and suited to the exercise of their religious rites." 2

Early Origins of the Winncester family

The surname Winncester was first found in Hampshire where Odo de Wincestre was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. 3 Later, William de Wyncestre was recorded in Yorkshire in 1286 and John Wynchestre in Gloucestershire in 1360. 4

From the original city in Hampshire, Scotland proved to be an attractive place to move during the turbulent times. "Thomas de Wincestre of the county of Arne rendered homage in 1296 [to King Edward I of England.] Another Thomas de Wynchester rendered homage in the same year. Johan de Wincestre and Henry de Wincestre, both of the county of Lanark, also rendered homage. Jchn Wincestir was chancellor of Dunkeld in 1426, Magister Henricus Wynsister held a tenement in Glasgow in 1498, and John Wynsister was witness to a deed of 1495, William Winchestre was vicar of Grantuly in 1505, Jaspar Win-chister was a tenant of the bishop of Moray in 1565." 5

Early History of the Winncester family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Winncester research. Another 256 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1424, 1428, 1435, 1460, 1471, 1495, 1567, 1569, 1574, 1579, 1591, 1592, 1628, 1643, 1686, 1694, 1724, 1803, 1804 and 1826 are included under the topic Early Winncester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Winncester Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Winncester include Winchester, Wincester and others.

Early Notables of the Winncester family

Notables of this surname at this time include: John of Winchester (d. 1460?), Bishop of Moray, who is said to have been an Englishman who ventured into Scotland in the retinue of James I on his return from England in 1424. "His name (though there are contemporary instances of it as a surname in Scotland) suggests that he may have been a priest...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Winncester Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Winncester family to Ireland

Some of the Winncester family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Winncester family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Andrew Winchester, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 with his wife and child; John Winchester settled in Virginia in 1636; William Winchester arrived in Maryland in 1732.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)