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

Winterbottom, 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 Winterbottom surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Winterbottom in America

Winterbottom is the 27354th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Winterbottom surname appeared 883 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 Winterbottom.

We can also compare 2010 data for Winterbottom 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 Winterbottom

The surname Winterbottom finds its origin in England, particularly in the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name dates back to the medieval period, with the earliest records appearing around the 13th and 14th centuries. The term winter is derived from the Old English winter, which carries the same meaning as the modern word, while bottom is derived from the Old English botm, meaning valley or low-lying area.

Winterbottom is a toponymic surname, meaning it originally referred to someone who lived in a place known as Winterbottom or a place characterized by the feature of a valley where snow might stay longer in winter. This localization could refer to specific areas within Yorkshire and Lancashire where such geographical features were common.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname appears in the 1379 Poll Tax records for Yorkshire, where a Richard de Wynterbottom is listed. This indicates the presence of the name in the public records and reflects its use among common folk or potentially minor nobility of the time.

In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the surname began appearing more frequently in various records such as wills, parish registers, and legal documents. For example, Thomas Winterbottom, born in 1591 and died in 1659, was a noted merchant from Lancashire. His activities extended to trade and commerce, and his family maintained substantial presence in the area for several generations.

Another prominent figure bearing the surname is Francis Winterbottom, who lived during the early 18th century. Born in 1683, Francis served as a justice of the peace in Yorkshire and was well-known for his contributions to local governance. His records are preserved in various legal documents and proceedings from the period, marking his influence in the community.

In the 19th century, the Winterbottom surname saw greater prominence in professions such as medicine and scholarship. Thomas Masterman Winterbottom, born in 1766 and died in 1859, was a distinguished physician known for his work in West Africa. His observations and descriptions of African medical conditions made significant contributions to tropical medicine and the understanding of local diseases. His book, "An Account of the Native Africans in the Neighbourhood of Sierra Leone," remains a critical reference in the field.

Later in the 19th century, Sir Thomas Edward Winterbottom, born in 1841 and died in 1914, emerged as another notable figure. He was an English engineer and inventor, recognized for his advancements in railway engineering and construction. His inventions and designs were vital to the expansion and efficiency of the British rail system during the Industrial Revolution.

By tracing the etymology, historical occurrences, and prominent figures, the surname Winterbottom reveals a rich tapestry interwoven with England's geographical, social, and professional history. From its roots in the northern valleys to its emergence in scholarly and professional circles, the name has carried substantial significance through the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Winterbottom

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

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

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

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