Surname Windsor - Meaning and Origin

Review: Unearthing the Windsor Legacy with iGENEA DNA Test

The iGENEA DNA test offers an extensive dive into your familial past, tracing back your lineage. In a journey of discovery that unravelled my surname Windsor’s Viking ties, its potent database facilitated connections with unknown global family members bearing the same surname.

A. Windsor

Windsor: What does the surname Windsor mean?

The surname 'Windsor' is derived from the place-name Windsor, located near London, England. It originates with the Anglo-Saxon words 'windels-ore', meaning 'riverbank with a windlass', referring to an ancient mode of ferry transport.

The royal family adopted the name of Windsor in 1917, when George V renounced his German family name - Saxe-Coburg and Gotha - during the first World War. The House of Windsor has now been the official family name of the British Royal Family for over 100 years.

In recent years, the name Windsor has become synonymous with royalty and the monarchy. Associations with power, prestige and tradition come to mind. For many, it has become the epitome of Britishness and the establishment. It is a name that signifies influence, wealth and aristocracy.

The name Windsor has also become popular in other countries, as a way to show loyalty or respect to Britain, or to emphasize associations with royal bloodlines. Many people in other countries have chosen the name as part of their own adoption of English culture.

In essence, the name Windsor has come to represent the allure of British royalty, showcasing the power, prestige and traditions of British nobility. It is a name with a long and illustrious history and one that has been embraced throughout the world.

Windsor: Where does the name Windsor come from?

The name Windsor is commonly found today in the British Royal Family. The name has been associated with the family for centuries, beginning with King George V who granted the House of Windsor the name and royal status in 1917. Since then, it has continued to be used by the British Monarchy ever since.

The House of Windsor has seen four monarchs on the throne since its beginning. Queen Elizabeth II is the current head of the House of Windsor. She was preceded by her father, King George VI, her grandfather, King George V, and Queen Victoria before him.

Other royal families around the world have adopted the Windsor name, including Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and his children and grandchildren, all of whom bear the surname Windsor. The Sultan of Brunei and his family have adopted the name as well.

The Windsor name is a hallmark of the British Royal Family and its long-standing history. While it is not as widely used today as it was centuries ago, the name is still used by Royalty around the world, and it continues to hold a strong association with the British Monarchy.

Variations of the surname Windsor

The surname Windsor has several variants and spellings, as well as other cognate surnames of the same origin. These include Windsoar, Windsoare, Windzor, Windzore, Wyoendusore, Woundesores, Windussor, and Windussore. This indicates that the origin of the name dates back centuries as linguistic changes to English have occurred over time.

Windor is an alternate spelling of the name, which is most commonly seen in North America. This version of the surname is thought to have been derived from the original English spelling, indicating that the first person to adopt it crossed the seas during the Great Migration of Britain.

The surname isn't exclusive to Britain, however. There are also variant spellings in other countries, such as the German Windusmere or Wendesmore, and the Dutch Wyndesoor and Wyndesoore. Other cognate surnames include Winsor, Winder, and Windross.

Finally, the name can also be found in America in its original form or with slight variations, such as Winsor, Winzor, Wyndsor, Wyndzor, and Winser. This suggests that the surname traveled to the United States from the United Kingdom and France in the 1600s.

Overall, the surname Windsor has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that can be found around the world. These can range from slight spelling variations in North America to more significant variations of the name in countries such as Germany and The Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Windsor

• Prince Harry Duke of Sussex
• Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
• Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
• Queen Elizabeth II
• King Edward VII
• Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
• Sarah, Duchess of York
• Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
• Lady Louise Windsor
• Prince Andrew, Duke of York
• Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones
• Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
• Lady Helen Taylor
• The Honorable James, Viscount Severn
• Prince Harry, Duke of Gloucester
• Lady Amelia Windsor
• Alexandra Knatchbull, Countess of Mountbatten of Burma
• George Windsor, Earl of St. Andrews
• Duke of Gloucester
• Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Other surnames

WindsarWindschuhWindserWindsheimer