This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Winchester,' a city in Hampshire.

Ralph de Wincestre, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Nicholas Winchestre, Suffolk, ibid.

John de Wynchester, piscariue, 7 Edward II: Freemen of York.

Robertus Wynchester, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1724. Baptised — John, son of John Winchester: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1804. Married — James Winchester and Elizabeth Edge: St. George, Hanover Square.

Most probably from Winchester in co. Hants, England. Thomas de Wincestre of the county of Arne rendered homage in 1296. His seal bears a lion rampant, tail contoumé, and S' Thome de Wynchese (Bain, II, p. 202,533). Another Thomas de Wynchester rendered homage in the same year. His seal is rudely executed and bears a lion rampant and S' Thome de Wynchetre (ibid., II, 776). Johan de Wincestre and Henry de Wincestre, both of the county of Lanark, also rendered homage (ibid., p. 212). Jchn Wincestir was chancellor of Dunkeld in 1426 (RMS., II, 84), Magister Henricus Wynsister held a tenement in Glasgow in 1498 (REG., p. 500), and John Wynsister was witness to a deed of 1495 (Laing, 221), William Winchestre was vicar of Grantuly in 1505 (SCM., IV, p. 138), Jaspar Win-chister was a tenant of the bishop of Moray in 1565 (REM., p. 437), Peter Winsister of Ardtrailye is in record in 1569 (RPC., I, p. 674), Androw Wynsister was minister at Fischweik, 1574 (RMR ), and Florie Winsister was exhorter at the churches of Aberchirder and Rothiemay in 1567 (Illus., II. p 151). Wincister (Wynsister, or Winchestir) was bailie of St. Andrews, 1579 82 (St. Andrews, p, 436,481, 543), and John Vinstyr of Artrelle was one of an assize at Inverness, 1591 (OPS., II, p. 669). John Vinchister and Henry Vinchister were members of an assize held at Spynie, 1592 (SCM., II, p. 120). James Winschester, bookbinder, was burgess freeman of Glasgow, 1628 (Burgesses), and Wenchester was burgess and bailie of Banff in 1643 (RSCA., III, p. 12). Peter Winster, indweller in the Cannogate, 1694 (Edin. App.). In 1803 the name was referred to as Winchester or Winster, which gives the local pronunciation. Vyncestre and Wyncester 1471, Winshecester 1686, Vinster, Wyncistre.

(Anglo-Latin) belonging to Winchester, 14th cent. Wynchester, 13th cent. Winchestre, Wincestre, Domesday Wincestre, Anglo-Saxon Winte ceaster, Wintanceaster, Latin Uenta Bel- garum(‘Market of the Belgae’) [The Colonial Latin venta (uenta), from Latin vendere, to sell, had the sense of ‘market’: this meaning survives in the French place - names Vente(s (Dialectal North. French vente = ‘ fair,’ 'market’), the Spanish Venta(s and Portug. Venda(s (the standard Span. venta and standard Portug. venda = ‘inn,’ as well as 'sale ’). The Anglo-Saxon ceaster is from the Latin castra (pl. of. castrum), a fortified camp]

(English) One who came from Winchester (Roman fort of Wintan), in Hampshire.

Local. A city of Hampshire, England, called Caerwynt by the Britons, from Caer, a city, town, or fortified place, and gwint, wind, from its being a windy place. The Welsh gwin signifies wine, as if called the "Wine City." So Howel, in his Londonopohs, quotes from old Robert of Glo'cester:

"In the country of Canterbury most plenty of fish is;

And most chase of beasts about Salisbury I wis,

And London ships most, and wine at Winchester,

Soap about Coventry, and iron at Glo'cester;

Metal, lead, and tin in the county of Exceter,

Euorwick of fairest wood, Lincoln of fairest men,

Cambridge and Huntingdon most plenty of deep venne,

Ely of fairest place, of fairest sight, Rochester."

Bailey defines it the "White City,"from the Welsh "Caer guenif," because it is built upon a chalky soil.

(English), Wintan ceaster, Winta's castle.