Surname Winslow - Meaning and Origin

How iGENEA DNA Test Unraveled the Mysteries of the Winslow Lineage and Influenced My Family Identity

The iGENEA DNA test has unveiled my deep-rooted connection to the Winslow lineage, tracing back to the Vikings. This newfound understanding has significantly shaped my family identity, emotionally connecting me to a courageous and resilient past while instigating a sense of pride and belonging.

Y. Winslow

Winslow: What does the surname Winslow mean?

The last name Winslow originates from a place name meaning “wine hill” in Old English. It is derived from the Old English words "wine" (meaning "vine" or "wine-giving") and "hlaw," which refers to either a mound or hill. It is a common English surname with several variations, including Winsloe, Winslowe, and Windslow.

The surname may have been established in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066 as a result of a land grant. In the Middle Ages, it appeared in records of Durham and Kent, as well as Wiltshire, Norfolk, Essex, and Gloucestershire. A certain Henry Winslow of Lappe was documented in the 1272 Critical Inquiry of the Hundred Rolls.

The surname was brought to America in the mid-17th century by Pilgrim settlers from England and became popular after the well-known American statesman, Edward Winslow. The name is also popular throughout many other countries, with various spellings such as Winonce, Winzlowos, and Vinslovskis.

The name Winslow is associated with English/American aristocrats, with many bearing the surname becoming prominent members of society. An example of this is the James Winslow family of New England—many of his descendants became successful town founders, mayors, lawyers, and farmers.

In today’s modern society, the last name Winslow is a reminder of one's family history and of those who came from England to pursue a new life in the United States of America. The name carries a sense of history, and reflects a certain pride in having been able to succeed and make something of oneself.

Winslow: Where does the name Winslow come from?

The last name Winslow is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2020, there were approximately 11,702 people living in the US with the last name Winslow.

The origins of the surname Winslow can be traced to England. It originated from the Old English personal name Win Slater, which means “friend of the slain”. Over time, the name underwent spelling variations and became Winslow.

Today, the most common concentrations of the surname Winslow are found in the Southern United States. States with the highest population of Winslows include North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Among these, North Carolina has the highest population, with approximately 1,482 individuals bearing Winslow as their last name.

The Winslow name can also be found throughout the Midwest, with larger concentrations in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio. California, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts also have a high population of Winslows.

Winslow is also common in other parts of the English-speaking world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. So wherever you are in the world, it’s likely that you’ll find a Winslow!

Variations of the surname Winslow

The origin of the surname Winslow can be traced back to the English place name of Winsloe. The most common variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin include Winslowe, Winselow, Whyndlow, Wyndlow, Wendslow, and Wensley. Other varied spellings may be seen in certain parts of the world, such as Windclow, Windslow, Wincelow, Winseloe, Wynsloe, and Wyselow.

Wendslow is arguably the oldest version of the surname, with the family originally having lived in the area around Winsloe, or "Wendsloe" as it was once called. From the early 16th century, spelling of the name began to appear, with the most frequent being Winslow and Wensley. In Scotland, the family name is often found as Wendslow, while in Ireland it appears as Winselow.

There are also many variations of the name associated with the family, including Winterloe, Winselow and Wincelow. Additionally, many of the other spellings have been anglicised versions of the original Dutch name, Winzloe.

In the United States, many of the Wendslow family moved south to Virginia and Maryland in the early 1700s, and the spelling of the name changed to Winslow over the years. As the name spread through the South, the spelling further evolved to Windclow, Windslow and Wynsloe.

In summary, the surname Winslow has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin including Winslowe, Winselow, Whyndlow, Wyndlow, Wendslow, Wensley, Windclow, Windslow, Wincelow, Winseloe, Wynsloe and Wyselow.

Famous people with the name Winslow

• Dwight Winslow: Actor
• Keanu Winslow: Professional mixed martial artist
• Levi Winslow: Professional baseball player
• Seth Winslow: Former American football player
• Sarah Winslow: Former American television journalist
• Alexander Winslow: English actor, singer, and artist
• Stephen Winslow: Cinematographer and director
• William Winslow: American Revolutionary War figure
• Orrin Winslow: American playwright
• Dan Winslow: American politician and former lawyer

Other surnames

Winslett