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

Winnie, 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 Winnie surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Winnie in America

Winnie is the 17572nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Winnie surname appeared 1,600 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 Winnie.

We can also compare 2010 data for Winnie 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 Winnie

The surname Winnie traces its origins primarily to Scotland, with roots stretching back to medieval times. It is believed to hail from the Lowlands, an area known for its fertile agricultural land and rich history. The name Winnie is thought to have derived from the Old English word 'wine,' which means friend. This aligns with its etymological cousins found in the Gaelic language, where it also signifies a sense of friendship or kinship.

The earliest documented references to the surname Winnie can be traced back to the 14th century in Scottish manuscripts, where variations such as Wyne, Wynnie, and Winny were recorded. One of the most notable early mentions is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, a document listing the Scottish nobility who pledged allegiance to Edward I of England. Within these records, a Thomas Wynne is listed, marking one of the earliest recorded uses of the surname.

In the 16th century, the Winnie surname began appearing more frequently in public records, reflecting the growing prominence of families bearing this name. A notable figure from this period is John Winnie, a landowner in Lanarkshire, recorded in tax documents from the early 1500s. His family held significant properties in the region and were engaged in local governance, suggesting that the Winnie name was well-regarded.

Another historical reference to the Winnie surname occurs in the late 17th century, involving Robert Winnie, who was noted in maritime records as a shipbuilder and trader operating out of Glasgow. His trade ventures contributed to the burgeoning economic growth of the city, and his family played a role in the increasingly important shipbuilding industry of the time.

In the 18th century, the name continued to be documented, with one prominent individual being James Winnie, a cleric who served as a vicar in the Church of Scotland. Born in 1723 and serving until his death in 1794, James Winnie was recognized for his scholarly contributions and his community leadership, making the Winnie name synonymous with both religious influence and academic achievement.

By the 19th century, the name had spread to various parts of the world, including North America and Australia, largely due to emigration during periods of economic hardship and political turmoil in Scotland. A significant figure from this period is Alexander Winnie, born in 1821, who emigrated to Canada and became a notable figure in early Canadian politics. His contributions helped shape the nascent political landscape of Ontario, where he served as a member of the legislative assembly until his death in 1888.

The Winnie surname, though not exceedingly common, has left its mark through these historical figures and recorded instances. Each reference encapsulates a piece of the broader narrative of the family name, showcasing how it evolved and intertwined with significant historical events and societal changes over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Winnie

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

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 Winnie 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 Winnie 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 Winnie was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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