Surname Wyndum - Meaning and Origin
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Wyndum: What does the surname Wyndum mean?
The last name Wyndum is believed to originate from the old Norman name "Wandun" or "Wendun", which in turn derived from the Germanic personal name "Wandulf", meaning "Wand Wolf".
The surname has various spellings, such as Wendum, Winnem, Wynden, Wynnen and, of course, Wyndum. It is most commonly found in England, Scotland and Ireland today.
The surname is believed to have began in the 1100s as the Anglo-Saxon conquerors fashioned their surnames that were unique and different from the people who were already living in the lands they had conquered. The Norman and Saxon groups amalgamated and formed new last names that incorporated elements of their own culture in a modified form.
It is thought that people with the last name Wyndum may have originally hailed from the villages of Wadworth, in Yorkshire, England or Winton, in Northumberland, England (which is now known as Wynden), where the surname is most commonly found today.
The family of Wyndum is thought to have been connected to a variety of well-known people in English history. Famous Wyndams include former Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, lawyer Richard Wyndham and Reverend Thomas Wyndum, who wrote "The History and Antiquities of Warwick" in 1765.
Today, the surname Wyndum is still a relatively common name in many parts of the UK and Ireland. It is generally thought to represent a proud, independent and hard-working people who strive for the best and work for the greater good. It is also seen as a mark of uniqueness and a symbol for individuals who have a positive attitude and strive to attain their goals.
Order DNA origin analysisWyndum: Where does the name Wyndum come from?
Today the last name Wyndum is most commonly found in the United States, though its presence there is relatively rare. The surname originates from a geographic location near a small hamlet called Wyddrington in Northumberland, England, which was founded in the Middle Ages. The earliest record of the surname Wyndum in the US was during the American Revolution in 1776, when a soldier named Jonathan Wyndum served in the Continental Army.
Though not found in large numbers, the surname may still be encountered in America. A few areas that have reported more frequent use of the name include North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio. In addition, some of the United States’ southern states have seen increased occurrences of the name Wyndham, which is a variation of the surname Wyndum.
In recent years, the name has spread beyond the United States into countries such as Canada, Mexico, Australia, Colombia, Germany, France, and Brazil. There have also been occasional reports of the name’s presence in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Though the name’s prevalence is sparse today, the Wyndum name carries a long and deep history, stemming from a hamlet in Northumberland, England, to present-day countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Wyndum
The surname Wyndum originated in England and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The main spelling is Wyndum and the other variants of this name include Windom, Wimdum, Wyndam, Wynndam, Wyndom, and Wyndham. The latter two spellings are more commonly found in English records.
Variants of the same surname include Winsum, Wineson, and Winningham. Winsum is a contraction of the original Wyndum. The other two are likely derived from English place names, Winsum for Winesham (Win's Hamlet) and Winningham for Winingham (Wyn's Homestead).
The surname also has numerous surnames of the same origin. Those of English heritage include Windrum, Windemere, Wineshore, Winfield, and Wingas. There are also variants such as Wyndnes, Wynneson, Wyndilee, and Wyndelyn. These could come from Scandinavian or other Clarke origin.
In terms of Scottish variants, the most common is Winmill, but also found is Wynmole, Wynnemole, and Wynmuld. In Wales, the surnames Wynford, Wynforde, and Wynforde are associated with the surname.
The numerous variants of the surname Wyndum suggest that it has a long and varied history, and likely originated in England.
Famous people with the name Wyndum
- Robert Wyndum: American television producer, writer and director best known for his work on the series JAG and The Chronicle.
- Jeannette Wyndum: British-American actress who has appeared in plays such as Twelve Angry Men, Rebecca and Breaker Morant.
- Mary Wyndum: Australian actress who had the lead role in the movie, Pacific Lament.
- Ericka Wyndum: Award-winning jazz vocalist and actress who starred in the musical, Nine, and the original Broadway production of The Wiz.
- Dan Wyndum: Emmy Award-winning prop master and set designer for various Broadway shows and movies.
- Laura Wyndum: American fine-arts sculptor best known for her portraits and public art pieces.
- Stephen Wyndum: British-born author and screenwriter whose works include the novel Horseman Pass By and the screenplay for Lassie Come Home.
- John Wyndum: Award-winning illustrator and cartoonist who has worked on comic books, graphic novels, and ad campaigns.
- Mickey Wyndum: Grammy Award-winning country music singer-songwriter who has been hailed as the modern-day Hank Williams.
- David Wyndum: Holywood film director, producer and screenwriter responsible for the movie The Towering Inferno and the blockbuster horror film Halloween.