Surname Winther - Meaning and Origin
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Winther: What does the surname Winther mean?
The last name Winther is of Norwegian origin and has been around since the Middle Ages. It first appeared in written records in the 17th century and is derived from Old Norse words meaning ‘vineyard’ and ‘thorn’ or ‘protector’. It is believed to have been a descriptive name for someone who lived in or near a vineyard with thorny bushes.
The last name Winther appears to have come from the historic region of Vestfold, Norway. It has been said that the form of the name as it was initially adopted and used in early Norwegian records was dependent on the dialect of the local villagers.
Winther is now a fairly uncommon last name with an estimated 1,500 people bearing it worldwide. Anybody with this last name is probably either from Vestfold, or has ancestors from there.
As well as Norway, the name Winther has spread to Canada, Sweden, Denmark, and some parts of the United States. As with most Scandinavian names, it is pronounced “vin-ter”.
Overall, the last name Winther has a fascinating history and is a great way to trace your family roots back to Vestfold, Norway. It not only carries a meaningful story but an undeniable cultural and linguistic heritage of Scandinavia.
Order DNA origin analysisWinther: Where does the name Winther come from?
Today, the last name Winther is most common in Scandinavian countries, namely Denmark, Northern Germany, Sweden, and Norway, and is also found in small numbers in other parts of Europe. It is derived from Old Norse “vinðr” which means friend and is also related to the German word “wander.”
In Denmark, Winther is one of the most common surnames, ranking 45th out of a total of roughly 500,000. Although linked to the popularity of Christensen, Nielsen, and Jensen, Winther still remains one of the 15 most common surnames in the country.
In Norway, it is ranked as the 47th most common surname.
In Sweden, the surname is fairly common, ranking in the top 20. While the meaning of the surname has been lost in time, the folk etymology suggests that the name was popular because many of the first bearers of the name tended to wander from one place to another in search of work.
In Germany, the last name “Winther” is still seen in parts of Northern Germany. The name is thought to have been carried by German immigrants from Denmark and Sweden.
Despite its popularity in Europe, the last name Winther is not as common in the United States. A few records of people with the last name Winther have been found in locations such as New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.
Variations of the surname Winther
The surname Winther has a variety of variants, spellings, and even other surnames of the same origin. It can be spelled Winther, Winthor, Winthar, Vinther, Vinthar, Vinther, Vonther, Vontor, Vontar, von Vinter, and von Vinthor. These are all variations of the same surname.
In Germany, the German variant of the surname Winther is “Winterer”. Bieber and Bieberstein are two other surnames that come from the same root. In France, the variant is “Ventre”. In Scandinavia, “Vintner” is a variant of the Winther surname.
In England, the surname Wintle is the English version of Winther. "Vinter" is the Danish form and is also found in many countries including Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. In Poland, “Wentner” is the version of the Winther surname. In Holland, “Winterer” is the Dutch variant.
The many variants and spellings of the same surname demonstrate how the surname has been adapted to fit different language systems and cultures around the world. Inquiries can be made to determine the origin of the given surname as well as its existence in other countries. Knowing the origins, variations, and uses of the same surname can provide valuable insights into family histories, ethnic or cultural origins, and even migration patterns.
Famous people with the name Winther
- Mats Winther: a famous Norwegian educator who co-founded the Open Research University and Rejlers. He is well-known for his work with lifelong learning and technology in education.
- Dan Winther: a Danish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Superliga.
- Piotr Winther: a Polish tennis player who has had a successful career on the ITF Men's Circuit.
- Philip Winther: a Danish professional football goalkeeper who currently plays for Vejle Boldklub in the Danish Superliga.
- Christina Winther: a Danish fashion model known for appearing in editorials for British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
- Magnus Winther: a Norwegian competitive sailor who won the gold medal in the 2016 European Championship in the 49er class.
- Mogens Winther: a Danish engineer and professor of architecture known for the development and implementation of the Quality Management System in public and private organizations.
- Klaus Winther: a Danish professional football player who plays for Swedish club Östersunds FK in the league system Allsvenskan.
- Carsten Winther: a Danish actor who has appeared in multiple films and television shows, including the hit drama series The Killing and the film In a Better World.
- Leif Winther: a Danish actor and director known for his leading roles in films such as Adam's Apples, Out of Love, and the television series Stranger.