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Show ContentsWinter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The ancient German region of the Rhineland, gave birth to the family name of Winter. At first, people used only a single name, but as the population grew and people began to travel, they began to find it necessary to take on an additional name to differentiate themselves. Fairly general principles guided the development of hereditary surnames in the Rhineland. Among the most common forms of surname found in the Rhineland are those that are derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Winter was a name for a person of a sad or melancholy nature. The surname Winter originally derived from the Old German word "wintar" or "wintra" which literally referred to a "wet season."

Early Origins of the Winter family

The surname Winter was first found in the Rhineland, especially the provinces of Westphalia and the Palatinate, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the nation.

Early History of the Winter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Winter research. Another 219 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1653, 1681, 1768, 1770, 1793, 1799 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Winter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Winter Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Winter include Winter, Winters, Winterer, Wintere, Winterle and many more.

Early Notables of the Winter family

Notables with the name Winter during this period were

  • Vincenz Winter (b.1799), an Austrian court advisor and State Financial Director in Prague, who was ennobled in 1869 for his outstanding accomplishments

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. 1 However, in Canada, the name Winter is ranked the 893rd most popular surname with an estimated 6,007 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Winter is the 542nd popular surname with an estimated 85 people with that name. 3 France ranks Winter as 2,458th with 2,500 - 3,000 people. 4 Australia ranks Winter as 422nd with 8,832 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Winter as 341st with 1,850 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Winter as 429th with 15,058 people. 7 Netherlands ranks Winter as 501st with 3,460 people. 8

United States Winter migration to the United States +

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from the Rhineland who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. Many of those who left the Rhineland to seek their fortunes in the prosperous and free New World settled in the major urban centers of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the settlers from the Rhineland passed through immigration centers like that of Ellis Island, most of them moving on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York. In Canada, the majority of Rhinelanders settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many important settlers to North America bearing the name Winter, or one of its variants above:

Winter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Winter, who settled in Maine in 1616
  • Robert Winter, who settled in Virginia in 1616
  • Edward Winter, who settled in Maryland in 1634
  • Ann Winter, who landed in Virginia in 1636 9
  • Margaret Winter, who settled in Virginia in 1660
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Winter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Heinrich Winter, who settled in New York State in 1710-11
  • Abraham Winter, who arrived in New England in 1724 9
  • Hans Winter, who settled in Philadelphia in 1733
  • Hendrick Winter, who landed in New Jersey in 1744 9
  • Hans Georg Winter, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1751 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Winter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Ehris Winter, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1803 9
  • Ehric Winter, who settled in Philadelphia in 1803
  • Jakob Winter, who arrived in Ohio in 1833 9
  • Conrad Winter, who settled in Philadelphia in 1834
  • Edward Winter, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 9
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Winter migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Winter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Catharina Winter, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Mr. Joseph Winter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 10
  • Mr. Peter Winter U.E., (Winters) who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York 10
  • Mr. Henry Winter U.E., (Winters) who settled in Elizabeth Town [Elizabethtown], Leeds County, Ontario c. 1786 he served in the Royal Regiment of New York, married at time of arriving 10
Winter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Heinrich Winter, who arrived in Manitoba in 1876

Australia 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
  • Mr. John Winter, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
  • Miss Ann Winter, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. William Winter, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • Mr. Benjamin Winter, (b. 1801), aged 29, English ploughman who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • Mr. Joseph Winter, English convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for life, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand 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
  • Mrs. Winter, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Eagle" arriving in New Zealand in 1850 15
  • Child Winter, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Eagle" arriving in New Zealand in 1850 15
  • Mr. Winter, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Traveller" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 22nd July 1859 16
  • Mrs. Winter, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Traveller" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 22nd July 1859 16
  • David Winter, aged 40, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Anne Longton" in 1860 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Winter (post 1700) +

  • William Forrest Winter (1923-2020), American attorney and politician, 58th Governor of Mississippi from 1980 to 1984
  • Jo de Winter (1921-2016), American actress, known for her roles in Dirty Harry (1971), Bird (1988) and Gloria (1982)
  • Jay Murray Winter (b. 1945), American historian at Yale University
  • Edward Dean Winter (1937-2001), American actor, best known for his role as military intelligence officer Colonel Flagg on the television series M*A*S*H
  • Douglas E. Winter (b. 1950), American writer, critic and lawyer
  • Donald Charles Winter (b. 1948), American businessman, United States Secretary of the Navy (2006-2009)
  • Alexander Ross "Alex" Winter (b. 1965), English-born American actor, film director and screenwriter, best known for his leading role in the 1989 film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and the sequel Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
  • John Dawson "Johnny" Winter (1944-2014), American blues guitarist, singer, and producer; Rolling Stone ranked him 63rd on its list of 100 greatest guitarists, triple Grammy Award-winning producer, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Edgar Holland Winter (b. 1946), American keyboardist, saxophonist, and percussionist, brother of Johnny Winter
  • William Forrest Winter (b. 1923), American lawyer, Governor of Mississippi (1980-84)
  • ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Annie  Winter (1885-1917), Canadian resident from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 17
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Douglas Winter, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 18
RMS Lusitania
  • Miss Thirza Winter, English 2nd Class passenger residing in New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 19
  • Mr. William Henry Winter, English 1st Class Passenger from Liverpool, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking by escaping on either life boat 17, 19 19
SS Newfoundland
  • Mr. Robert Winter, Newfoundlander from Poole's Island, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Edward Winter, American Warrant Officer-Machinist from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 20

The Winter Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Majorum servari virtute
Motto Translation: The greater the power of the observed
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  3. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  5. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  6. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Netherlands." Forebears, https://forebears.io/netherlands/surnames
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  18. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  19. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  20. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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