Surname Winser - Meaning and Origin

Winser: What does the surname Winser mean?

The last name Winser is primarily of German and English origin. It is said to derive from the Old English personal name Winishere or Winisar, which is a combination of the name elements win, meaning “friend”, and sær, meaning “army” or “host”. Alternatively, it may derive from the Old Norse place name Víðishera, which translates to "wide island".

The name Winser was mainly found in the regions of Bavaria and Thuringen in the early 16th century, and began to slowly spread throughout to other countries. It is now found as far as the United States, where the name came in the 18th century with immigrants from Germany.

There are several variants of the name: Wimmer, Winsor, Winger, Wynger, Winger, and Wingersen. It is a patronymic surname, which means that it was passed down from a father to his son. Thus, it is likely that most modern bearers of the name Winser will trace their lineage back to a common ancestor.

Today, the surname Winser does not have any particular significance, save for the fact that it is a link to the past and a source of family history and heritage. It is a reminder of the journey and struggles that the original bearers of the name went through, and can give people an appreciation for their ancestors' courage and determination.

Winser: Where does the name Winser come from?

The last name Winser appears to be most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. In the United States, Winser is more concentrated in the Midwest with a large number of individuals in the states of Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, and Missouri. It is also found in California and Arizona. In Canada, the name is scattered but more heavily concentrated in Ontario.

According to the United States census of 2020, the last name Winser appears to be one of the less common surnames, ranking well below 10,000. There is evidence that the name is of European origin likely from either Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands.

In terms of its origin, linguists suggest the name is derived from the German words ‘winseln’ which means to beg or plead, or it could be derived from the German ‘weins’ or ‘weinser’ which means to drink. Meaning aside, the name is unique and is likely to stand out and be remembered when encountered.

Variations of the surname Winser

The surname Winser, also spelled as Winsor, Wenzer, Winnar, Weinser, and Wunsor, is thought to be of early English origin. The meaning of Winser is uncertain; though it may be derived from the Old English root wina, meaning friend, or from the Welsh pre-7th century root gwyn meaning fair or white.

This surname is most common in England; however it is also present in some areas of Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. Early records of the surname Winser can be found in England from the 13th century. In 1273, one Hugh le Winsere was recorded in County Lincolnshire. In Ireland, records from the 12th century indicate that the Wansor family were lords of the ancient manor of Faddan Mor, County Tipperary.

Variations on the surname Winser have been well documented. One of the earliest records is of William Winar, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk, England in 1327. The name Winsor also appeared in the same rolls. In Germany, the surname Wunsor or Wunser, was first recorded in the 13th century.

In Ireland, the name Winnar first appeared in the 12th century and has since become more common. During the mid 16th century, spellings of the surname Winser have been recorded in Scotland as Weinser and Wainser. By the 19th century, the surname Winsor had also become more prominent.

Famous people with the name Winser

• Gcina Mhlophe Winser: South African poet and author
• Neil Winser: British investment banker
• Louise Winser: British TV presenter
• Barbara Winser: British skater
• Ted Winser: Chilean rugby player
• Frances Winser: British actress
• Sunder Winser: Canadian singer
• Chris Winser: Australian footballer
• Paul Winser: British cricket all-rounder
• Ashley Winser: American actress

Other surnames

WinsellWinsett