Origins of Windsor Surname

The ancient chronicles of England reveal the early records of the name Windsor as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is closely interwoven within the majestic tapestry as an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.

In-depth research by skilled analysts into ancient manuscripts such as the Doomsday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Conqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honour Roll of the Battel Abbey, the Curia Regis, Pipe Rolls, the Falaise Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, local parish and church records, shows the first record of the name Windsor was found in Berkshire where they were descended from William Fitzotho, who was son of Adalbert the second Duke of Lombardy. This Walter was given Windsor Castle by William, Duke of Normandy. His son, William Fitzwalter assumed the surname of the Castle.

Many alternate spellings were found in the archives researched, typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. Although your name, Windsor, appears in many references, from time to time the surname included Windson, Winsor, and these changes in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. Typically a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. All three spellings related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either resulted from a branch preference, religious affiliation, or sometimes nationalistic statements.

The family name Windsor is believed to be descended originally from the Norman race, frequently but mistakenly assumed to be of French origin. They were more accurately of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Thoorfinn Rollo, his descendant landed in northern France about the year 940 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Rollo married Charles' daughter and became a convert to Christianity. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.

Duke William took a census of most of England in 1086, and recorded it in the Doomsday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this manuscript, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.

The surname Windsor emerged as a notable family name in the county of Berkshire. Sir James Windsor, William's descendant was ancestor of the Earls of Plymouth, and Sir William, his brother, was summoned to Parliament in 1381. They also became the Barons Mountjoy and the Viscounts Windsor. The first Baron Windsor was Sir William. Sir Andrew Windsor was made a Knight-Banneret at the Battle of Spurs in 1513, and later became Lord Windsor. Many junior lines branched to different locations including as far north as Scotland where Walter Windsor had a grant of lands in 1178. They were later recorded as businessmen in Aberdeen in 1445. Prominent amongst the family at this time was Sir James Windsor.

The surname Windsor contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or Scotland. During the 11th and 12th centuries many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland. Later, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries England was ravaged by religious and political conflict. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliament fought for supremacy. Religious elements vied for control, the State Church, the Roman Church and the Reform Church. All, in their time, made demands on rich and poor alike. They broke the spirit of men and many turned from religion, or alternatively, renewed their faith, pursuing with vigour and ferocity, the letter of the ecclesiastical law. Many families were freely "encouraged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies". Nonbelievers or dissidents were banished, sometimes even hanged.

The settlers in Ireland became known as the "Adventurers for land in Ireland", they undertook to keep the Protestant faith. In Ireland Sir William Windsor was knighted at Christs Church Cathedral in Dublin by the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Walter Windsor of a junior line also settled in Dublin.

The democratic attitudes of the New World spread like wildfire. Many migrated aboard a fleet of sailing ships known as the "White Sails". The stormy Atlantic, small pox, dysentery, cholera and typhoid took its toll on the settlers and many of these tiny, overcrowded ships arrived with only 60 or 70% of their passenger list. The migration or banishment to the New World continued, some voluntarily from Ireland, but mostly directly from England or Scotland, their home territories. Some clans and families even moved to the European continent.

In North America, migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the family name Windsor, or variable spellings of that same family name included Jane Windsor settled in Virginia in 1663; Robert Windsor settled in Boston in 1631; William Windsor settled in Pennsylvania in 1750. From the port of arrival many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the American War of Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown and moved northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.

There were many notables of this name Windsor, Robert Windsor, Politician; Henry Windsor Aubrey, Judge; Clive Windsor, the Earl of Plymouth.