Winter Family History

English: from the Middle English (Old English) personal name Winter (Old English Wintra) originally a nickname from the word for ‘winter’ and perhaps still a nickname (see 2 below) in the period of surname formation. English: occasionally perhaps an occupational name from Middle English winter a variant of Middle English Anglo-Norman French viniter vinter ‘wine merchant’.

Irish: Anglicized form (part translation) of Gaelic Mac Giolla-Gheimhridh ‘son of the lad of winter’ from geimhreadh ‘winter’. This name is also Anglicized McAlivery.

German, Dutch, Danish, and Swedish: from Middle High German, Middle Dutch, Danish, Swedish winter ‘winter’ (Old High German wintar, Old Norse vetr) a nickname for someone of a frosty or gloomy temperament or for someone associated with the season of winter in some other way e.g. because he was born or found (as a foundling) in this part of the year.

The Swedish surname can be ornamental. Compare De Winter. Jewish (Ashkenazic): from German Winter ‘winter’ either an ornamental name or one of the group of names referring to the seasons that were distributed at random by government officials when surnames became compulsory.

Compare Sommer, Fruhling, and Herbst.