Windess History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Windess

What does the name Windess mean?

The name Windess is an occupational name for a "worker at the winding house’ (for threads, yarn, etc.) from the root word Winder." 1 Other researchers agree. 2 3

Other sources postulate different origins of the name: "the termination us is usually a contraction of house; thus Malthus stands for Malthouse, Woodus for Woodhouse, Loftus for Lofthouse, &c. By analogy, Windus would stand for Windhouse-probably a residence in an exposed situation." 4

Another source claims the name is derived from "Windrush; a location name in Gloucestershire." 5

However, we believe the occupational origin of the name is more accurate as we will explore below.

Early Origins of the Windess family

The surname Windess was first found in Yorkshire where William de Wyndhows was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. A few years later, Thomas Wyndhouse was listed as a Freeman of York in 1431 as was William Wyndowes in 1458. Later, William Wyndes was listed in the same source in 1530. All of the last three entries were weavers. 1

Early History of the Windess family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Windess research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1431, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Windess History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Windess Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Windess include Windhouse, Windows, Windus, Winders, Windes, Windos, Windo, Windoes, Wyndows, Wyndowes, Wyndo, Wyndow, Wyndoe, Windros, Windross, Windrows and many more.

Early Notables of the Windess family

More information is included under the topic Early Windess Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Windess family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Windess were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.