Show ContentsWindros History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Windros Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Windros

What does the name Windros mean?

The name Windros 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 Windros family

The surname Windros 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 Windros family

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

Windros Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Windros were recorded, including Windhouse, Windows, Windus, Winders, Windes, Windos, Windo, Windoes, Wyndows, Wyndowes, Wyndo, Wyndow, Wyndoe, Windros, Windross, Windrows and many more.

Early Notables of the Windros family

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

Migration of the Windros family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Windros family emigrate to North America: 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..

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

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