NameCensus.

UK surname

Winston

Derived from an English place name meaning "joyful stone," or from a nickname meaning "joyful friend."

In the 1881 census there were 346 people recorded with the Winston surname, ranking it #8,826 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,120, ranked #5,261, up from #8,826 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Gelligaer and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Blackpool.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Winston is 1,120 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 223.7%.

1881 census count

346

Ranked #8,826

Modern count

1,120

2016, ranked #5,261

Peak year

2016

1,120 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Winston had 346 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,826 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,120 in 2016, ranked #5,261.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 521 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Winston surname distribution map

The map shows where the Winston surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Winston surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Winston over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 209 #10,066
1861 historical 408 #6,298
1881 historical 346 #8,826
1891 historical 404 #8,802
1901 historical 369 #10,040
1911 historical 521 #7,593
1997 modern 996 #5,520
1998 modern 1,046 #5,459
1999 modern 1,074 #5,384
2000 modern 1,062 #5,418
2001 modern 1,029 #5,464
2002 modern 1,036 #5,533
2003 modern 1,030 #5,468
2004 modern 1,030 #5,481
2005 modern 1,019 #5,463
2006 modern 1,037 #5,408
2007 modern 1,072 #5,293
2008 modern 1,077 #5,308
2009 modern 1,064 #5,480
2010 modern 1,099 #5,441
2011 modern 1,094 #5,401
2012 modern 1,081 #5,366
2013 modern 1,101 #5,367
2014 modern 1,106 #5,373
2015 modern 1,115 #5,297
2016 modern 1,120 #5,261

Geography

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Where Winstons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Gelligaer, London parishes, Manchester and St John the Evangelist. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Blackpool and Whitecraigs and Broom. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Gelligaer Glamorganshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 St John the Evangelist Brecon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 003 Caerphilly
2 Caerphilly 004 Caerphilly
3 Blaenau Gwent 008 Blaenau Gwent
4 Blackpool 019 Blackpool
5 Whitecraigs and Broom East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Winston

These lists show first names that appear often with the Winston surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Winston

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Winston, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Winston surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Winston household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Winston is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Winston is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Winston falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Winston is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Winston, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Winston

The surname WINSTON has its origins in England, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period around the 5th to 11th centuries. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old English words "wine" meaning "friend" and "tun" meaning "farm" or "settlement". The name likely referred to someone who lived near a vineyard or wine farm.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Winestun" and "Winestuna". These entries refer to various places in different counties across England, suggesting the name was already established in various regions during the Norman conquest.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various forms such as "Wyneston", "Wynston", and "Winstonley" in records from counties like Gloucestershire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire. These variations indicate the name's evolution over time and its adaptation to different local dialects.

One of the earliest known individuals with the surname WINSTON was John de Winston, who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1203. Another notable early bearer of the name was Sir William Winston, a member of Parliament for Gloucestershire in 1388.

The WINSTON surname has been associated with several notable historical figures, including Sir Henry Winston (1616-1688), a prominent English lawyer and politician who served as Speaker of the House of Commons during the reign of Charles II. Another influential figure was Thomas Winston (1575-1624), a renowned English mathematician and writer who published works on mathematics, logic, and natural philosophy.

In the 18th century, the WINSTON family gained prominence with the birth of Richard Winston (1744-1815), a successful merchant and plantation owner in Virginia, United States. His descendants included several influential figures, including Frederick Winston (1776-1837), a prominent lawyer and judge, and Isaac Winston (1789-1867), a respected Baptist minister and educator.

One of the most famous bearers of the WINSTON surname was Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), the British statesman, orator, and two-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He played a pivotal role in leading the Allied forces to victory during World War II and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Winston families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Winston surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 69 Winstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.04x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 69 2.04x
Glamorgan 47 8.00x
Gloucestershire 40 6.04x
Monmouthshire 24 9.84x
Warwickshire 22 2.58x
Brecknockshire 19 28.15x
Cheshire 17 2.28x
Surrey 16 0.97x
Lancashire 15 0.37x
Devon 14 1.99x
Berkshire 12 4.74x
Derbyshire 11 2.08x
Staffordshire 11 0.97x
Worcestershire 5 1.13x
Hampshire 4 0.58x
Herefordshire 3 2.17x
Wiltshire 3 1.01x
Yorkshire 3 0.09x
Flintshire 2 2.20x
Midlothian 2 0.44x
Northamptonshire 2 0.63x
Dorset 1 0.45x
Kent 1 0.09x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.22x
Somerset 1 0.18x
Sussex 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 20 Winstons recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.64x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 20 13.64x
Brecknock St John 17 298.77x
Bedwellty 11 25.53x
Gelligaer 10 74.52x
Bishops Cleeve 9 535.71x
Brinnington 9 129.31x
Swansea Town 9 18.68x
Bearley 7 2800.00x
Bristol St Paul In 7 39.71x
Clase 7 32.04x
Clifton 7 20.92x
Kensington London 7 3.73x
Llanover 7 84.03x
Measham 7 360.82x
Padworth 7 2258.06x
Barford 6 722.89x
Ermington 6 234.38x
Heswall Cum Oldfield 6 582.52x
Hulme 6 7.18x
Islington London 6 1.83x
Llandyfodwg 6 180.18x
Mile End Old Town 6 11.26x
St Luke London 6 11.08x
Ystradyfodwg 6 11.64x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 5 8.02x
Edgbaston 5 18.95x
Fulham London 5 10.21x
Stratton 5 625.00x
Wolverhampton 5 5.71x
Battersea 4 3.22x
Kingswinford 4 9.67x
Merthyr Tydfil 4 7.08x
Ribbesford 4 108.99x
Southwark St George Martyr 4 5.89x
St George Hanover 4 9.08x
St Pancras London 4 1.47x
Stoke Newington London 4 15.21x
Upper Llanvrechva 4 105.54x
Ashton Keynes 3 270.27x
Birmingham 3 1.06x
Cheltenham 3 5.87x
Crasswall 3 857.14x
Portsea 3 2.21x
West Derby 3 2.56x
Beenham 2 327.87x
Bermondsey 2 1.99x
Chelsea London 2 1.97x
Clewer 2 19.27x
Derby St Werburgh 2 6.56x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 2 1.10x
Fairfield 2 56.66x
Kettering 2 15.58x
Lambeth 2 0.68x
Llandaff 2 10.23x
Lymm 2 36.90x
Modbury 2 111.73x
Oswaldtwistle 2 14.13x
Oystermouth 2 43.96x
Paddington London 2 1.61x
Penderyn 2 108.70x
Plymouth Charles The 2 6.46x
Plymouth St Andrew 2 3.70x
Rhuddlan 2 25.03x
Aldershot 1 4.32x
Bristol St James St Paul 1 4.53x
Holy Trinity 1 1.24x
Hook Malden 1 151.52x
Horfield 1 15.02x
Liverpool 1 0.41x
Panteg 1 26.04x
Putney 1 6.50x
Reading St Giles 1 4.02x
Richmond 1 4.34x
Sedgley 1 2.36x
South Molton 1 25.91x
Stoke Damerel 1 2.03x
Stratford On Avon 1 21.19x
West Bromwich 1 1.53x
West Harptree 1 185.19x
Withington 1 7.75x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Winston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Winston surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 21
John 20
Thomas 11
James 10
Charles 9
George 7
Richard 7
Henry 6
Robert 6
Walter 6
Albert 5
Joseph 5
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Edwin 3
Alfred 2
Archibald 2
Arthur 2
Daniel 2
David 2
Edmund 2
Francis 2
Penry 2
Abraham 1
Adam 1
Benj. 1
Chas. 1
Cornelious 1
Darcy 1
Enoch 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fred. 1
Fredk. 1
Gerald 1
Harold 1
Lyttleton 1
Martin 1
Matthew 1
Nathaniel 1
Percy 1
Roger 1
Saml. 1
Tom 1
W. 1
Willm. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Winston surname: questions and answers

How common was the Winston surname in 1881?

In 1881, 346 people were recorded with the Winston surname. That placed it at #8,826 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Winston surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,120 in 2016. That gives Winston a modern rank of #5,261.

What does the Winston surname mean?

Derived from an English place name meaning "joyful stone," or from a nickname meaning "joyful friend."

What does the Winston map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Winston bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.