Find out how popular the last name Winch is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Winch.

Winch, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Winch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Winch in America

Winch is the 17169th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Winch surname appeared 1,650 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Winch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Winch to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Winch

The surname Winch has its origins in England and can be traced back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "wince," meaning a nook or a corner, or "wincel," which means bending or turning. This suggests that the name was likely topographical, indicating someone who lived by a bend or corner in the landscape. Throughout history, variations of the name can be found, such as Wynch, Wince, and Wynch, showcasing the fluidity of spelling in early historical records.

The earliest references to the surname Winch can be found in medieval documents. One of the earliest recorded instances is a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, where land owned by a person with a similar-sounding name is documented. This capitalization of the written record indicates the early establishment of the surname Winch within English society.

Among the earliest bearers of the name was Henry de la Winch, who lived in the 13th century; records place him in Hertfordshire around 1275. Another early instance is John de Wynch of Kent, who appears in tax records from 1327. These references highlight the geographic spread and penetration of the surname across England.

Over time, several notable individuals with the surname Winch have emerged in historical records. Hugh Winch, born in the late 14th century, was a landholder documented in estate records from Northamptonshire around 1400. Thomas Winch, who served as a Member of Parliament for Chichester in 1452, signifies the family's involvement in political life. Henry Winch, born in 1563 and died in 1628, was a prominent merchant based in London, illustrating the name's association with burgeoning commerce during the late Renaissance.

In addition to these early figures, Sir Humphrey Winch, born in 1555 and died in 1625, is a distinguished individual who served as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas. His prominence in the English legal system underscores the surname's association with notable public service. Another recognizable figure is James Winch, a local squire and benefactor to his community in Buckinghamshire, with his life spanning from 1675 to 1720.

In summary, the surname Winch has deep roots in early English history, originating as a topographical surname derived from Old English terms. Its consistent presence in medieval records and the rise of notable individuals bearing the name underscore its enduring legacy within English society through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Winch

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Winch.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Winch was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Winch has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Winch was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Winch, please contact us.

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