Winchester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The ancestry of the name Winchester dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family 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 Winchester family

The surname Winchester 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 Winchester family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Winchester 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 Winchester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Winchester Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Winchester have been found, including Winchester, Wincester and others.

Early Notables of the Winchester family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Winchester Ranking

In the United States, the name Winchester is the 3,695th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Winchester family to Ireland

Some of the Winchester 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.


Winchester migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Winchester, or a variant listed above:

Winchester Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Winchester Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Winchester Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Winchester migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Winchester Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Winchester migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Winchester Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Winchester (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Winchester +
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