Surname Windham - Meaning and Origin

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C. Windham

Windham: What does the surname Windham mean?

The surname Windham is of English origin and is derived from various place names in England such as Wymondham in Leicestershire or Norfolk, and Wyndham in Somerset or Sussex. These place names mean "at the dwellings or pastures" when translated from Old English. The initial letter of the place name can be either 'W' or 'V' due to the interchangeability of these letters in Old English. This surname came into being when families adopted the names of their local areas as their own for identification purposes. The earliest known record of this surname is of one Ralph de Windham in 1086 in the Domesday Book. The Windham/Wyndham family has a rich history, with notable members including George Wyndham, the British author and politician, as well as several British nobles and aristocrats.

Windham: Where does the name Windham come from?

The last name Windham is of English origin, deriving from a geographical location, specifically the town of Wymondham in Norfolk, England. The name was first recorded during the reign of King Stephen of England in the 12th century. Over centuries, spelling variations such as Wymondham, Windham, and Wyndham have evolved, with Windham being more commonly used in the United States today.

Despite its British origins, Windham as a surname is now more prevalent in the United States than in the United Kingdom, due to historical British migration to North America. It is most common in the southern states including Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. It is less common in the United Kingdom, although populations do exist, primarily in England. In terms of worldwide distribution, Windham also occurs in small numbers in Australia and Canada. Notable persons with the surname Windham include the professional wrestling family from Texas - Blackjack Mulligan (Robert Windham) and his sons Barry and Kendall Windham.

Variations of the surname Windham

The surname Windham has origin in English and is thought to have come from the Old English words "wind" meaning windy and "hamm" meaning water meadow or low-lying pasture. It might denote a location where the pasture meets with strong winds. Therefore, the surname windham possibly signifies the people residing in such a locality. This surname is said to have first appeared in Norfolk, where they held a family seat.

Variations of this name tend to occur often over time due to spelling modifications, translations, and dialectal differences. These phonetic variations include Windham, Wyndham, Wymondham, Wimondham, and Wyndhame.

There are also other surnames that came from the same origin with Windham. Surnames derived from localities are common in England, and many English surnames come from old English words denoting specific geographical features, like Windham. Wyman, Windle, Windsor are surnames of the same lineage.

It's worth noting that the exact origins and variations may vary based on different sources and interpretations of historic records; these are just a few possibilities.

Famous people with the name Windham

• Barry Windham: A retired professional wrestler and member of the Four Horsemen group.
• Kendall Windham: Also a retired professional wrestler, he is Barry Windham's younger brother.
• Blackjack Mulligan (real name Robert Windham): A former pro-wrestler, and father of Barry and Kendall Windham.
• William Windom: Although the spelling is slightly different, he was an Emmy Award-winning actor known for his roles in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Star Trek."
• John Windham: An English science fiction writer who authored the science fiction classic "The Day of the Triffids."
• Mike Windham: An American track and field athlete who competed in the hammer throw.
• Windham Rotunda aka Bray Wyatt: A professional wrestler, and Blackjack Mulligan's grandson and Barry Windham's nephew.
• Terrance Windham: A professional football player who played in the National Football League.
• Winthrop Rockefeller (full name: Winthrop Paul Rockefeller): The great-grandson of the famous tycoon John D. Rockefeller. His middle name, "Paul," comes from his mother’s maiden name, which was Windham.
• William Windham: An 18th-century British Whig statesman, he held various important cabinet posts.

Other surnames

WindhagenWindhagerWindhornWindhorst