Vinther (also spelled Winther) is a common Anglo-Germanic surname dating back to the 13th century. The name developed from the Anglo-French word Vintner, meaning someone who is involved with winemaking. The surname is used worldwide, but is mainly found in Europe and the United States.

Vinther
Ludwig Franz Alexander Winther, German pathologist and ophthalmologist
Origin
Word/name1273
MeaningVintner, a person who makes wine
Region of originEngland
Other names
Variant form(s)Numerous

Etymology edit

History edit

The surname Vinther dates back to 1221 England and derives from the Anglo-French word Vintner, meaning a person engaged in winemaking.[1] It was an occupational name for wine sellers during the 13th century.[1] In Denmark and Norway, it was originally given to people considered to possess a frosty or gloomy temperament, the corresponding Old English and Old High German words being Winter and Wintar.[1] In Central, South and Eastern Europe the surname had changed to Vinter by leaving letter H from the word.

Usage edit

Vinther is the 92,287th most common surname in the world.[2] It is most prevalent in Denmark and the highest density is in the Faroe Islands.[2] Nowadays, it is most popular in Europe and the United States.[2]

Country Incidence Frequency Rank in Nation Ref.
  Denmark 4,239 1,330 106 [2]
  United States 142 2,255,424 144,605 [2]
  England 75 720,000 50,317 [2]
  Faroe Islands 49 987 130 [2]
  Norway 39 131,394 17,488 [2]
   Switzerland 27 302,256 36,547 [2]
  Sweden 22 440,645 42,407 [2]
  Canada 9 3,936,392 212,166 [2]
  New Zealand 5 909,350 46,707 [2]
  Spain 2 23,253,900 131,225 [2]
  India 2 624,010,000 1,500,361 [2]
  Israel 2 4,103,200 34,572 [2]
  Poland 1 38,496,000 58,885 [2]
  El Salvador 1 6,401,240 3,993 [2]
  France 1 65,959,000 277,603 [2]
  South Africa 1 54,002,000 107,212 [2]
  Russia 1 146,068,400 897,276 [2]
  Germany 1 80,716,000 172,258 [2]
  Hong Kong 1 7,219,700 16,640 [2]
  Australia 1 23,566,200 279,271 [2]
  United Arab Emirates 1 9,446,000 83,428 [2]
  Tunisia 1 10,886,500 14,644 [2]
  Netherlands 1 16,863,800 118,015 [2]
  Belgium 1 11,202,066 91,024 [2]

Notable people with the surname edit

Name Country Years Notes Ref.
Ingeborg Vinther   Faroe Islands b. 1945 Politician [3]
Johannes Vinther   Denmark b. 1893 d. 1968 Gymnast [4]
Troels Vinther   Denmark b. 1987 Cyclist [5]
Aage Winther-Jørgensen   Denmark b. 1900 d. 1967 Actor [6]
Birgitte Winther   Denmark b. 1751 d. 1809 Opera singer
Christian Winther   Denmark b. 1796 d. 1876 Lyric poet [7]
Christopher Winther Scheen   Norway b. 1809 d. 1950 Clergyman and politician [8]
Gregers Winther Wulfsberg   Norway b. 1780 d. 1846 Jurist and politician [9]
Gregers Winther Wulfsberg Gram   Norway b. 1846 d. 1929 Jurist, politician and international arbitrator [10]
Lars Winther   Norway b. 1983 Pianist composer [11]
Ludwig Franz Alexander Winther   Germany b. 1812 d. 1871 Pathologist and ophthalmologist [12]
Oscar Osburn Winther   United States b. 1903 d. 1970 History professor
Sophus Keith Winther   United States b. 1893 d. 1983 Professor and novelist [13]
Eva Winther   Sweden b. 1921 d. 2014 Politician

See also edit

References edit

Sources edit

Printed edit

  • Hirschberg, Julius (1986). The History Of Ophthalmology. Wayenborgh. ISBN 0-79232-053-0.
  • Holme, Jørn (2014). They Came from Everywhere: The Eidsvoll Men And Their Houses. Cappelen Damm. ISBN 978-82-02-44564-5.
  • Kurath, Hans (1999). Middle English Dictionary. University of Michigan. ISBN 978-0472012251.
  • Nauright, John; Parrish, Charles (2012). Sports Around The World: History, Culture, And Practice. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1598843002.
  • Thomsen, Mads (2008). Mapping World Literature: International Canonization And Transnational Literatures. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1847061232.

Online edit

External links edit