Surname Winz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Winz: What does the surname Winz mean?
The last name Winz is derived from the German word "winz," meaning "little" or "small." As such, the name is an indicator of short stature or small size. It could have been given to a person who was of short stature, or it could have been used as a nickname for someone who was small in comparison to other people around them.
The name could also be related to the Middle High German word "winczen," which means "to be exhausted, empty, or weak." As such, it could have been a nickname for someone who either seemed to tire quickly or was physically weak. In addition, Winz could be related to the German word "winzen," which means "to pinch or tease." This could have been used as a nickname for someone who enjoyed teasing others.
No matter its origin, the name Winz was likely given to someone by bearers of its same last name or people close to them. It was a marker of distinction or a way to set apart a loved one from the rest of the family or community. Over time, the name could have been used to identify a certain family, a trait or characteristics of an individual, or simply a way to honor someone’s unique strength or weakness.
Order DNA origin analysisWinz: Where does the name Winz come from?
The last name Winz is primarily found in Germany and surrounding countries, most commonly in the region of Bavaria. It is also found scattered throughout Europe and the United States, although generally in fewer numbers.
The geographical origin of the surname Winz is based in Bavaria. Archaeological evidence shows that the family made its home in the Isar-Rossau region and then Neuschwanstein Castle. Records from that time also indicate that some branches of the Winz family had migrated to other regions of Europe and the United States.
The earliest documented use of the Winz name is found in Tyrol, Austria, in the early 16th century. This indicates that the surname was likely in use in southern Germany before this point. It is speculated that the surname comes from an earlier version of the German word, 'winsen', meaning 'to win'.
Today, the last name Winz is found in larger numbers throughout Bavaria and surrounding countries, as well as in smaller numbers throughout Europe and the United States. It is not restricted to a single ethnicity, as it has been spread through migrations and intermingling of cultures over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Winz
The surname Winz has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The primary known variants, spellings and surnames include:
Winz: This is the most common spelling of the surname Winz.
Winds: This variant of the surname Winz has a spelling with the addition of an extra "d".
Winde: This variant of the surname Winz is a German spelling that usually drops the "z" at the end of the name.
Winces: This variant of the surname Winz is often seen with the inclusion of an "e" at the end.
Winzig: This is a variation of the surname Winz that forms a similar sound but incorporates an extra "g".
Vinz: This variant of the surname Winz drops the "W" from the beginning to form a similar sound.
Weinz: This variant of the surname Winz drops the "W" to form a similar sound, but begins with a "v" instead of a "W".
The same-origin surnames of Winz often contain a variant of the original such as wince, winch, winsome, winston, and winslow. These surnames are derived from the surname Winz by either utilizing a different spelling or by adding an alternate ending.
Winz and its variants can be found across multiple cultures, including German, Dutch, English, and French. It is primarily northern European in origin and is often mistaken for sounding like the name "Wins" because of the letter "z". Additionally, the surname Winz can also be found in American culture due to the immigration of northern Europeans and their descendants into the United States.
Famous people with the name Winz
- Bill Winz: American businessman and club owner
- Dick Winz: American basketball player
- Marc Winz: Canadian photographer and filmmaker
- Mike Winz: American singer-songwriter and musician
- Steve Winz: American professional basketball head coach
- Tom Winz: American soccer coach
- Zoe Winz: Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Albert Winz: German-American photographer
- Christina Winz: American country music singer
- Eric Winz: American entrepreneur and investor
- Heinz Winz: Austrian Olympic pentathlete
- Howard Winz: American professional baseball pitcher
- Jan Winz: Austrian former alpine skier
- Jim Winz: American former ice hockey player
- Max Winz: German Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's German librettist
- Peter Winz: Danish former footballer
- Richard Winz: Austrian football coach
- Ronald Winz: American real estate executive
- Vlastimil Winz: Czech-Swiss economist and professor