Surname Winfree - Meaning and Origin

Winfree: What does the surname Winfree mean?

The last name Winfree is of English origin and is a topographic name that means “dweller on a pasture", “a meadow crossed by a stream”, or “a wine-seller”. It would have been used to indicate a person who held this type of land in a medieval village during the Middle Ages. It can also be an occupational name for a wine merchant. The Winfree spelling is an example of the phonetic spelling or soundalike name that arose in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Winfree family has been around since the 1500s when records show that Henry Winfree was recorded as a free merchant in the county of Salop in 1570. Since that time the Winfree name has continued to live on, becoming prominent in the areas of politics, the military, and art. There are a number of public figures who carry the Winfree name such as General James Frazor Winfree, a decorated US Air Force officer, and Ulysses S. Winfree, a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the Civil War. Others include Monroe Winfree Jr., a famous Broadway director and producer, and Judge James Winfree Jr., the first black judge in Tennessee. There are also well-known Winfree family artists, such as Gudgel Winfree and Donald Winfree.

Today, the Winfree name is still active and honored, carrying on the tradition of excellence and craftsmanship established by their predecessors centuries ago. This proud lineage continues to inspire members of the family to pursue excellence and strive for greatness, while always remaining true to their humble beginnings.

Winfree: Where does the name Winfree come from?

The last name Winfree is common in the United States today. It is a relatively rare name, but years of research indicate it is most likely of English origin. The earliest reference to it is from the County of Northumberland in the far north of England, dating back to 1280 in the spelling of Wynfray.

It is believed that the name is derived from an Old English compound word meaning "a friend on the windy side". Over time, the spelling has changed from Wynfray to Winfree.

Today, the last name Winfree is most common in the Southern United States, especially in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Texas. It is also quite popular in California and Florida. In other areas of the United States, such as the Midwest and Northeast, the name is quite rare.

Interestingly, research indicates that the Winfree name is gaining popularity in other countries outside of the United States, including Canada, Ireland, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This indicates an increasing trend in the internationalization of the name.

Based on the current data analysis, the last name Winfree is most commonly seen in the Southern United States, although recent trends show increasing popularity in other countries outside of the United States.

Variations of the surname Winfree

The surname Winfree can be found in many variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin. These include Wynnefrye, Wynfree, Winfray, Winphrey, Wymfree, Wynfrith, Wynfryd, Winfrith, Winfryd, Wynphrey, Wynfreye, Wynfreth, Winfreely, Winfrey and Wynfrey.

Wynfree or Winfry are the most common variants of Winfree. The surname Winfree is derived from two Old English words, "wine" and "frið," meaning "friend" or "peace." This might explain how the root of the surname became associated with peace and friendship.

The surname Winfree is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and can be traced back as far as the Norman Conquest. It is believed to have originated in the village of Wynfray in Northumberland, near Hexham, England.

The spelling variations of Winfree are also quite numerous. Some of the variant spellings can be attributed to dialectal differences. Other variations may include a change in the spelling of the initial letter or syllable. For example, Winfreth is a variation of Winfree with the "F" changed to a "Th."

The surname Winfree is also found in many families across Europe who are of English, Scottish, German and Dutch descent. Winfrey is a common German variant. The Dutch variant of Winfrith is also used in some families of Dutch-Jewish descent.

Overall, the surname Winfree, along with its variants, spellings and surnames of similar origin, is found throughout Britain and Europe. It is a very old surname, with a unique origin story.

Famous people with the name Winfree

• Curtis Winfree: Curtis Winfree is an American engineer, entrepreneur, and business executive. He is the founder and CEO of Primerio, a global energy and technology company.
• Travis Winfree: Travis Winfree is an American songwriter, session guitarist, and session pianist. He has written, recorded, and produced numerous works for major-label recording artists.
• Robert Winfree: Robert Winfree is an American author, journalist, and editor. He is the author of "Winning: Thoughts on Life, Sports, and Success".
• Jesse Winfree: Jesse Winfree is an American basketball player who competes in the NBA G League.
• Chris Winfree: Chris Winfree is an American television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on Family Guy, Bob's Burgers, and The Simpsons.
• Ray Winfree: Ray Winfree is an American rapper and record producer. He is best known for his songs "Nothin' But a Word", "Cold City", and "1-800".
• Jennifer Winfree: Jennifer Winfree is an American photographer and visual artist. She is best known for her portrait, landscape, and aviation photography.
• Kenneth Winfree: Kenneth Winfree is an American music producer and recording engineer. He has worked with artists such as Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey.
• Brad Winfree: Brad Winfree is an American professional beach volleyball player. He plays mainly on the AVP Tour and North American Tour.
• Roberta Winfree: Roberta Winfree is an American historian and author. She has written several books on American history, including Colonialism, Conservation, and Craft.

Other surnames

Winfrey