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

Winslett, 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 Winslett surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Winslett in America

Winslett is the 26008th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Winslett surname appeared 943 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Winslett.

We can also compare 2010 data for Winslett 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 Winslett

The surname Winslett is of English origin, with historical roots that trace back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated from the southeastern part of England, particularly around counties like Hampshire and Berkshire. It likely derives from the Old English words "wynn," meaning joy or pasture, and "slaed," meaning valley. Hence, Winslett could be interpreted as "joyful valley" or "pasture valley."

Historical records show that surnames began to be commonly used in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Winslett is not specifically mentioned in the Domesday Book, a great survey of England completed in 1086, but similar surnames such as Wynslade or Winslade are indicative of its potential roots and phonetic variations. These variations show up in hamlets like Winslade in Hampshire, which reinforces the geographical origins of Winslett.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Winslett date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, appearing in local parish records and manorial rolls. One notable early bearer of the surname was John de Winslate, documented in the Assize Rolls of Hampshire in 1236. Another was Thomas de Winslade, recorded in the Feet of Fines for Berkshire in the late 13th century. These early citations affirm the surname's prominence in the southeastern regions.

Throughout history, the Winslett name has been borne by several notable individuals. For instance, Sir Richard Winslett was an influential figure in Hampshire during the 1500s. Born around 1520 and dying in 1585, Sir Richard served as a local magistrate and was known for his contributions to public life in his county. His ancestral roots can be traced to the early holders of the surname, indicating the persistence of the name across generations.

Another significant figure was Reverend James Winslett, a clergyman born in 1709 who played a prominent role in the religious community of Berkshire. He passed away in 1782, leaving behind records of his sermons and contributions to the church, which were well-documented and preserved in local parish archives.

Elizabeth Winslett, born in 1821 and deceased in 1879, was recognized for her charitable works during the Victorian era. She was known for her efforts to improve the lives of impoverished children in London, establishing schools and orphanages that provided education and care. Her contributions were celebrated in various local newspapers and social records of the time.

The surname Winslett may also be connected to several place names, with Winslade Hill and Winslade Farm appearing in historical maps and documents. These place names often share the same etymological roots, further cementing the surname's connection to specific geographical regions.

In literary circles, the name gained prominence through the works of Edward Winslett, a 19th-century poet and author born in 1834 and deceased in 1892. His poetry, often reflecting the pastoral and rural life of England, resonated with the etymological meaning of his surname—emphasizing a deep connection to the landscape and natural beauty.

Through these historical snippets, the Winslett surname is presented as a name deeply rooted in the English pastoral traditions. Its bearers have contributed to various societal facets, from governance and religious service to literature and charitable work, enriching the historical tapestry of the name over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Winslett

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

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

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

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