Winter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
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The origins of the Winter surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a person born in the wintertime having derived from the Old English word wintar, meaning wet season. 1

Early Origins of the Winter family

The surname Winter was first found in Gloucestershire.

"The natural seasons gave personal names in the same way. ' Summer and Winter are both ancient names; in the Cod. Dip. Alamannioe there are two brothers called respectively Sumar and Winter, A.D. 858. Winter was also the name of one of the companions of Hereward the Saxon. 'Although a pre - Norman personal name, Winter survived the Conquest, and attained hereditary honours as a surname in the 13th cent. " 2

Another source postulates "most probably the Old English personal name Wintra (A.D. 699) and Uuintra (A.D. 704), associated in the popular mind with Old English winter, 'winter'. " 3

And another notes "Winter was the name of one of the companions of the Anglo-Saxon Hereward, and Winter and Sommer are both German and modern Danish names. " 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Wynter Mariot in Norfolk and Gelle Winter in Cambridgeshire, so as you can see the name was in use as both a forename and surname from very early times. 2

Further to the north in Scotland, "Elsi, son of Winter, had a grant of the lands of Thirlstane from Hugh de Morville before 1162. Jop Wyntyr was a charter witness at Yester in 1374. " 3

Early History of the Winter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Winter research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1162, 1379, 1447, 1452, 1474, 1487, 1488, 1494, 1572, 1589, 1600, 1603, 1606, 1622, 1645, 1646, 1661, 1665, 1666, 1668, 1673, 1686 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Winter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Winter Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Winter has been spelled many different ways, including Winter, Winters, Wynter and others.

Early Notables of the Winter family

Notables of the family at this time include

Winter World Ranking

In the United States, the name Winter is the 1,079th most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Winter is ranked the 893rd most popular surname with an estimated 6,007 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Winter is the 542nd popular surname with an estimated 85 people with that name. 7 France ranks Winter as 2,458th with 2,500 - 3,000 people. 8 Australia ranks Winter as 422nd with 8,832 people. 9 New Zealand ranks Winter as 341st with 1,850 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Winter as 429th with 15,058 people. 11 Netherlands ranks Winter as 501st with 3,460 people. 12

Migration of the Winter family to Ireland

Some of the Winter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Winter migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Winters to arrive in North America:

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

Winter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Winter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Winter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Winter migration to Australia +

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

Winter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Winter 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:

Winter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Winter (post 1700) +
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