Contents [hide]

Wynne History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Sources

Wynne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales
Ireland

Etymology of Wynne

What does the name Wynne mean?

The old, proud name Welsh name Wynne is derived from the Welsh word "gwyn," which means "fair" or "white." It was a nickname for a person with light-colored hair or a pale complexion, or perhaps for someone who habitually wore white or pale-colored clothing.

Early Origins of the Wynne family

The surname Wynne was first found in Carnarvonshire (Welsh: Sir Gaernarfon), a former county in Northwest Wales, anciently part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and today divided between the unitary authorities of Gwynedd and Conwy, where this distinguished Welsh family claim lineal descent from Brochwel, Prince of Powys, who was Commander of the Welsh forces under Cadvan in the memorable battle near Chester fought with the Saxons under King Ethelred of Northumberland in the year 603.

Wini (d. 675?), was Bishop of London, an Englishman and probably a West-Saxon by birth. 1

"The parish of St. Wenn [in Cornwall, England] seems to have derived its name from one of the large sainted family that came from Wales into Cornwall and Devon, and from whom so many parishes in each county have obtained their respective denominations. There in the deanery of Pyder, one valor points out Ecclesia Sanctae Wennae, as the other gives us Wen alias Wenman, that is Wenn's place; mann still signifying place in Welsh, once signifying it therefore in Cornish, and this church at Wenn's place being actually dedicated to St. Wenne." 2

Early records in Somerset, England list John atte Wenne in the Subsidy Rolls for 1316 and Walter atte Wen in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 3

Later some of the family branched into other areas of England as the Shrewsbury Burgess Roll includes an entry for: Robert, of Shrewsbury, silkweaver, son of Hugh ap William Wynne of Stansty, co. Denbigh, yeoman, 1626.

Early History of the Wynne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wynne research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1544, 1553, 1556, 1559, 1580, 1588, 1602, 1611, 1622, 1626, 1627, 1628, 1649, 1650, 1665, 1671, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1695, 1713, 1714, 1715, 1718, 1719, 1723, 1737, 1742, 1749, 1755, 1756, 1789 and 1841 are included under the topic Early Wynne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wynne Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Wynne name over the years has been spelled Wynne, Wynn, Wyn, Win, Gwynne, Gwynn, Winne, Winn, Gwinn, Gwinne and many more.

Early Notables of the Wynne family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

Robert Wynne (1622-1675), English-born, Virginia politician and landowner
John Wynne (1650-1714), a Welsh industrialist and politician, High Sheriff of Flintshire in 1695
John Wynne (1689-1718), of Melai, Denbighshire, a Welsh politician, Member of Parliament for Denbigh Boroughs (1713-1715)

Wynne Ranking

In the United States, the name Wynne is the 3,674^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Wynne family to Ireland

Some of the Wynne family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wynne migration to the United States +

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Wynne:

Wynne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Wynne and his wife Catherine settled in Plymouth in 1620
Robert Wynne (1622-1675), born in Canterbury, England who settled in Charles City County, Virginia in 1656 becoming a landowner and politican, and later 14th Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1662-1674)
Thomas Wynne, who landed in Maryland in 1662 5
Tibatha Wynne, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682 5
Thomas and Rebecca Wynne, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1682
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wynne Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick Wynne, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 5
Michael Wynne, aged 60, who landed in New York, NY in 1848 5
Bridget Wynne, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 5
Mr. Joseph Wynne, (b. 1812), aged 37, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United states on 23rd August 1849 6
Mrs. Grace Wynne, (b. 1823), aged 26, Cornish settler departing from Penzance aboard the ship "Cornwall" arriving in the United States on 23rd August 1849 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wynne migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wynne Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Edward Wynne, who landed at Ferryland, Newfoundland with 12 men in August 1621 to establish the Ferryland colony where he was Proprietary Governor from 1621 to 1626

Wynne Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Cornelius Wynne, aged 29 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes" departing from the port of Cork, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in June 1847 7
Mr. Denis Wynne, aged 22 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Bridgetown" departing 3rd July 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 29th August 1847 but he died on board 8
Miss. Elizabeth A. Wynne, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Agnes and Ann" departing 15th May 1847 from Newry, Ireland; the ship arrived on 2nd July 1847 but she died on board 8
Mr. J. Wynne, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Araminta" departing 1st May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 20th June 1847 but he died on board 8
Miss. Margaret Wynne, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Erin's Queen" departing 1st June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 23rd July 1847 but she died on board 8

Wynne migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Wynne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Samuel Wynne, British Convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Catherine Wynne, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Amphitrite" on August 21, 1833, settling in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. John Wynne who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. William Wynne, (b. 1812), aged 25, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Ellen Wynne, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 16th November 1841, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wynne migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Wynne Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Wynne, aged 14, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
William Wynne, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1842
Mr. John Wynne, (b. 1828), aged 14, British farm servant, son of Mrs. Roberts previously Wynne travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 14
Mr. William Wynne, (b. 1829), aged 13, British settler, son or Mrs. Roberts previously Wynne travelling from London aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" arriving in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1842 14
Jane Wynne, aged 28, a housemaid, who arrived in Malborough aboard the ship "Gainsborough" in 1878 15

Contemporary Notables of the name Wynne (post 1700) +

Angus G. Wynne (1914-1979), American businessman, founder of Wynnewood Shopping Center and Six Flags theme parks
Susan Elizabeth "Susie" Wynne (b. 1965), American former ice dancer and current figure skating analyst and commentator
Shannon Shelmire Wynne (b. 1951), American restaurateur and son of Angus Wynne
Ed Wynne, American musician with the Doobie Brothers
Madeline Yale Wynne (1847-1918), American artist, teacher, writer, and philanthropist
Philippé Wynne (1941-1984), né Walker, American singer
Marvell Wynne II (b. 1986), American former soccer player
Robin French Wynne (1953-2023), American jurist, Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court (2015-2023)
William Anthony "Bill" Wynne (1922-2021), American author, photographer, award-winning photojournalist, owner and trainer of Smoky the Dog during World War II
Marvell Wynne (b. 1959), American Major League Baseball who played from 1983 to 1990
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wynne family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Thomas Wynne, British Scullion from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 16

RMS Lusitania

Master George Wynne, English Assistant Cook from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 14 17
Mr. Joseph Dominic Wynne, English Scullery man from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 17

Sources +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 60)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 99)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Amphitrite voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1833 with 99 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/amphitrite/1833
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 3rd November 2011). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/