Wyncester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Wyncester is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came 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.

Early Origins of the Wyncester family

The surname Wyncester was first found in Hampshire where it is conjecturally believed that a Saxon Lord displaced in Hampshire moved north to Scotland and acquired lands in the county of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.

Early History of the Wyncester family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wyncester research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1495, 1826, 1460, 1424, 1428 and 1435 are included under the topic Early Wyncester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wyncester Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Wyncester are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Wyncester include: Winchester, Wincester and others.

Early Notables of the Wyncester family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: John of Winchester (d. 1460?), Bishop of Moray, who is said to have been an Englishman who ventured into Scotland in the retinue of James I on his return from England in 1424. "His name (though there are contemporary instances of it as a surname in Scotland) suggests that he may have been a priest...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wyncester Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wyncester family to Ireland

Some of the Wyncester 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.

Migration of the Wyncester family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Wyncester or a variant listed above: Andrew Winchester, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 with his wife and child; John Winchester settled in Virginia in 1636; William Winchester arrived in Maryland in 1732.