Winton is an ancient and distinguished surname derived from Old English, meaning "friend". It is believed to have originated as a nickname for a cheerful or friendly person, or perhaps for someone who was considered wise and knowledgeable. The name has been recorded in various spellings throughout history, including Wynton, Winstanley, Winslade, and Wistow, among others.
The surname Winton can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with early records dating as far back as the 12th century. It is likely that the name was introduced into Britain by Norman invaders following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, the name has become associated with certain regions and families in England, such as the Wintons of Winton House in Hampshire.
Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals with the surname Winton. One such example is Sir Henry Winton, who served as the Mayor of London during the reign of King Charles II in the 17th century. More recently, Winton has become associated with the celebrated author and academic, Anthony Burgess, whose real name was John Anthony Burgess Wilson.
Today, Winton continues to be a respected surname around the world, carried by people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It remains a name that is strongly linked to its Anglo-Saxon origins and the rich history of England.
The name Winton experienced its peak popularity between 1912 and 1924, with a significant rise from 15 births in 1912 to 78 births in 1920. However, it declined steadily thereafter, reaching as low as 5 births in recent years like 2021 and 2022. Overall, there have been 1927 births with the name Winton since 1892.