Windless

Windless
This rare and interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible sources. Firstly, the surname may be a variant of the Scottish surname "Wanless", which derives from the Middle English "wanles", hopeless, luckless, and was a nickname for an unfortunate person. The creation of surnames from nicknames was a common practice in the Middle Ages, and many modern-day surnames derive from medieval nicknames referring to personal characteristics. Simon Wanles was monk of Melrose in 1451. Secondly, the surname may be a locational name from either Windle in Lancashire, or Windhill in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The former was recorded as "Windhull" in the 1201 Pipe Rolls of the county, and the latter as "Windhill" in the 1208 Feet of Fines. Both placenames share the same meaning and derivation, which is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "wind", wind, and "hyll", hill or mound; hence, "a hill exposed to fierce gusts". Locational names were originally given as a means of identification to those who left their village or place of origin to settle elsewhere. Alan de Windul was noted in the 1242 Book of Fees of Lancashire. On March 5th 1857, James, son of John and Georgiana Windless, was christened at Brompton by Northallerton, Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alan de Windhull, which was dated 1201, in the "Pipe Rolls of Lancashire", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Windless — Wind less, a. 1. Having no wind; calm. [1913 Webster] 2. Wanting wind; out of breath. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • windless — [wind′lis] adj. 1. devoid of any wind or breeze 2. out of breath windlessly adv. windlessness n …   English World dictionary

  • windless — [[t]wɪ̱ndləs[/t]] ADJ If the air is windless, or if it is a windless day, it is very calm and still. Ant: windy …   English dictionary

  • windless — windlessly, adv. windlessness, n. /wind lis/, adj. 1. without wind; calm: a windless summer afternoon. 2. out of breath. [1350 1400; ME; see WIND1, LESS] * * * …   Universalium

  • windless — Ⅰ. wind [1] ► NOUN 1) the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current blowing from a particular direction. 2) breath as needed in physical exertion, speech, playing an instrument, etc. 3) Brit. air swallowed while …   English terms dictionary

  • windless — adjective without or almost without wind he prefers windless days for playing golf • Similar to: ↑calm • Derivationally related forms: ↑windlessness …   Useful english dictionary

  • windless — adjective see wind I …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • windless — adjective devoid of wind; calm …   Wiktionary

  • windless — (Roget s Thesaurus II) adjective Marked by an absence of circulating air: airless, breathless, breezeless, still. See BREATH …   English dictionary for students

  • windless — wind|less [ wındləs ] adjective without any wind …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”