Surname Winham - Meaning and Origin

Winham: What does the surname Winham mean?

The surname Winham is of English origin, and derived from various places that have the same name. A prominent early bearer of the name was the Winham family of Winham St Mary in Somerset, England. It is believed that the family name derived from the pre-10th century phrase “waena ham”, meaning “village on the hill”.

Winham is typically considered an occupational surname, as those that bore the name could have had various occupations such as builders, carpenters, or laborers. Others may have been merchants, traders, or served in any other capacity.

People with the surname Winham are known for their hardworking, compassionate, and creative nature. They are known for their ingenuity and shrewdness in business, coupled with a strong appreciation for justice and fairness. Many are drawn to fields like business, finance, engineering, and the arts, as those seek to combine their creative and analytical skills to venture into new and unknown territories.

Winhams are typically extroverts who enjoy socializing and leading conversations. They strive to offer humble advice and uplift those around them. They are often driven to strive for greatness and success, and despite the challenges that may come their way, they will remain tenacious and persistent.

Winham: Where does the name Winham come from?

The last name Winham is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is fairly rare in other countries, largely because it is a surname derived from a place name.

In the UK, the last name is most often found in the south of England, particularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey and Gloucestershire. It is more common among those of English descent.

The name originated from one of two places found in Wiltshire, the English county in the West Country, which is located on the south coast. These places were called Winham Magna and Winham Parva. In Old English, Winham means ‘homestead with a winnowing machine’ – in other words, a place where grain was winnowed by use of a special fanning device.

The last name would have become established in the region long ago as farming families with the same name set up their homesteads. The last name Winham often appears in old official documents such as court rolls and parish registers, where it was recorded in its original form or as variants such as Wynham or Wynam.

Given its origins, it is likely that anyone with the last name Winham can trace their ancestry back to the same part of Wiltshire – a rural area well-known for its picturesque countryside, and lucrative wool and dairy industries.

Variations of the surname Winham

The surname Winham has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Wynham, Winam, Wynam, Winan, Wynan, Winem, Wynem, Wynhim, Wynman and Wynym.

The surname Winham is believed to have originated in England, particularly in the counties of Sussex, Kent and Oxford. The surname is derived from Anglo Saxon old English personal name, ‘wine’, which means ‘friend’ or ‘protector’ in Old English. Later, ‘wine’ was elided to ‘Win’ and eventually to ‘Winham’.

The family tree is believed to have originated in the 11th century, when William Winham was born in 1086. His son, John Winham, was born in 1116. By the 13th century, the surname had already spread throughout England, reaching Wales, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire.

One of the common spellings of the name is Wynham, and this surname has been found in Ireland and parts of Scotland as well. This spelling is most common in the North Midlands area of England.

Winham and its variants can also be found in France, where it is spelled differently and is known as ‘Vigné’.

In the United States, the surname Winham can be found in states such as Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Ohio and West Virginia.

Overall, the different spellings and variants of the surname Winham testify to the highly mobile nature of the family throughout history.

Famous people with the name Winham

• Danny Winham: British taekwondo champion and bronze medal winner in the 2012 Olympics.
• Gigi Winham: American actress and model.
• William Winham: American football coach and former NFL player.
• George Winham: American author, businessman, and financial advisor.
• Paul Winham: awards-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker.
• Bonnie Winham: psychic-medium and spiritual teacher.
• Sarah Winham: British martial artist and coach.
• Jack Winham: American professional golfer.
• Paige Winham: American actress and voice-over artist.
• Cyril Winham: British automobile designer and mechanic.
• Kit Winham: American helicopter pilot and aerial photographer.
• Chris Winham: American record producer, musician, and songwriter.
• Troy Winham: American film director and screenwriter.
• Morris Winham: influential composer and musician from the early 20th century.
• Jessica Winham: British athlete and world-record holder in javelin.
• Natalie Winham: British celebrity chef and winner of numerous culinary awards.
• Jennifer Winham: American interior designer and HGTV personality.
• Charles Winham: British philanthropist and founder of the Winham Foundation.
• Elizabeth Winham: pioneering tennis player from the late 19th century.
• Anne Winham: successful American businesswoman and venture capitalist.

Other surnames

WinhardWinhardtWinhart