This interesting and unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible sources. Firstly it may be derived from an Olde English personal name composed of the elements "wynn", joy, and "stan", stone. Secondly, it may be locational from a place so called in Gloucestershire, derived from the Olde English personal name (as above), and "tun", enclosure, settlement, or from "stan", as above; hence, "Wynna's settlement", or "Wynna's stone". The placename was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Winestan"; in the Pipe Rolls of 1191 as "Wenestan"; and in the Gloucestershire Fees in 1211 as "Wunnestan", and in 1220 as "Wonestan". Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually in search of work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Recordings from London Church Registers include the christening of Hannah, daughter of Richard and Mary Winstone, on September 4th 1629, at St. Stephen's, Wallbrook. A Coat of Arms granted to a family of the name is per pale red and blue a gold lion rampant, supporting between the paws a green tree eradicated, the Crest being a gold garb erect, sustained on the dexter side by a silver lion rampant and on the sinister by another blue. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Frances Winstone, which was dated May 23rd 1596, recorded at St. Lawrence Pountney, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.

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