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

Winward, 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 Winward surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Winward in America

Winward is the 25865th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Winward surname appeared 951 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 Winward.

We can also compare 2010 data for Winward 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 Winward

The surname Winward is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period, with roots likely anchored in the north of England. The name originates from the Old English words "wind" and "weard," with "weard" meaning a guard or warden. Hence, Winward can be interpreted as "guardian of the wind" or "wind guard," possibly indicating a family known for residing in open, windy areas or having a role related to the weather or environment. Early variations of the name include Windward and Wynward, reflecting the fluid nature of spelling in pre-modern England.

One of the earliest appearances of the surname in historical records is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, though in slightly different forms and phonetic spellings. It is noted that Winward or similar names like Wyndward appeared in tax rolls, legal documents, and other public records throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, indicating its use amongst early English landholders and yeomen. These records often stem from Northern counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, areas renowned for their rolling hills and brisk winds.

Among the earliest known individuals with the surname Winward is Thomas Winward, documented in Lancashire in the early 14th century. Records from 1325 show him as a witness in a local land dispute, marking one of the initial instances of the surname's presence in official records. This timeframe aligns with the growing complexity of English surnames as signifiers of profession, location, or familial lineage.

Geoffrey Winward, born around 1460, serves as another historical figure bearing the surname. He was noted in parish records from York, Yorkshire. Geoffrey's family was involved in local trade and governance, suggesting that the name had by then established itself firmly within the local gentry and merchant class. Other records from the same period indicate the spread of the surname across northern England, reflecting social mobility and regional migrations.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw individuals with the surname Winward taking on more documented roles. For instance, Elizabeth Winward of Manchester, born in 1580, was a prominent midwife whose services were recorded in local church and municipal archives. Her noted skill and reputation illustrate the gendered associations of the surname within local and communal histories.

Another notable figure is John Winward, an English soldier who fought in the English Civil War, born in 1615 and known to reside in Cheshire. His military involvement is detailed in various muster rolls and pension records, indicating the broader socio-political engagements of those bearing the name. John's descendant, Richard Winward, born in 1650, transitioned into trade and owned a notable shipping company based in Liverpool, a further testament to the expanding commercial reach of the surname.

In the early 18th century, Ann Winward, born in 1705 in Lancashire, gained repute as a pioneering herbalist whose remedies and treatments were widespread in medical manuscripts of the period. Her work highlights the intersection of traditional knowledge and emerging scientific practices, underscoring the versatility and prominence of individuals carrying the surname.

These historical figures and records collectively shape the rich tapestry behind the surname Winward, reflecting a blend of environmental influence, regional stability, and social evolution through centuries of English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Winward

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

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!