Surname Windam - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Windam: What does the surname Windam mean?
The last name Windam has a variety of possible meanings. First of all, it may be derived from a term meaning “peaceful home” in Old English, which could represent an ideal of home, security, and comfort. Alternatively, it could come from the Old English “wint”, signifying a winnowing fan. This could have been used by families to symbolize their business of winnowing grain. Additionally, Windam could be related to an Old Norse name “Vindr”, Or “vinr”, meaning “a friend” or “beloved”. Finally, the name may be derived from the German place name “Windheim”, which comes from the combination of two words meaning “wind” and “homestead”.
Regardless of its origin, the surname Windam is a meaningful one with an interesting history. Its various connotations point to the notion of home and family, security and friendship, and perseverance in the face of hardship. It is a beautiful reminder of our past and a call to make each moment count.
Order DNA origin analysisWindam: Where does the name Windam come from?
The last name Windam is most commonly seen in the United States. It is found in small numbers throughout the country, but is more heavily concentrated in the Midwest and Southeastern states. In particular, it is most commonly found in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama.
The origin of the name is not known for certain, but it is believed to be derived from either an old English word meaning "wine giver" or a French place name, Vindame. It may also be derived from old German words meaning "wind" and "people".
The earliest known record of the name Windam dates back to 1367 in England. It may have been a result of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when many French and German names were brought to England.
The current population of the United States does not have a significant number of Windams; the exact numbers are unknown, but a 2004 telephone directory search reveals that only a few hundred people with the name Windam still exist in the US.
Variations of the surname Windam
The surname Windam derived from the Old English words "win" (a friend) and "damb" (a dam or embankment). It is a topographical surname which indicated a person who lived beside a dam or embankment.
The surname Windam has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Wynham, Wymondham, Wymanham, Wymondam, Wendham, Windham, Windam, Windon, Wynon, Wyndham, Wyndem, Windem, Winnam, Wyndam, Wynham, and Wynden.
All of these surnames are locational surnames, derived from the old English words "win" (a friend) and "damb or ham" (a dam or embankment). They were used to describe someone who lived by means of a dam or embankment.
The surname Windam was first found in Norfolk during the 12th century. The earliest known record of the surname is from 1273 in the assize rolls of that county. One Robert de Windan was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327.
The Windam coat of arms usually displays three red stars on a silver shield. It is believed that the stars symbolise hope and constancy. Interestingly, a family tree of the Windham's shows that they are related to the 'Josephine' of the court of Napoleon I.
In the United States, the Windam family can first be found in South Carolina and Virginia before t
he mid-eighteenth century. While the adult members of the Windam family in America share a common ancestry, as with many other families with emigrants, they have diffused throughout the United States and can now be found in many other states.
Famous people with the name Windam
- Mick Windam: is an English first-class cricketer who has played for both Derbyshire and Middlesex.
- William Windam: was an early American politician who served as the mayor of Philadelphia from 1782 to 1784.
- Matthew Windam: is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Walsall and West Bromwich Albion.
- Seymour Windam: was an English cricket player who played for Surrey and Middlesex from 1888 to 1898.
- Peter Windam: was a rugby union centre who played club rugby for Richmond and represented England at international level.
- Lester Windam: is an American World War II veteran, recipient of the Silver Star Medal, and former professor of military science and tactics at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
- Peter Windam: is an English Anglican priest. He is Dean of Oxford since 2006.
- Andy Windam: is an English television presenter and actor who has appeared on a variety of shows such as 2019’s Celebrity Coach Trip.
- Alison Windam: is an American lawyer and legal scholar who focuses on civil and criminal procedure, religious liberty, and the intersection of law and religion.
- John Windam: is an American football coach and former player who is currently the defensive quality control coach at the University of Oregon.