Surname Vinyard - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vinyard: What does the surname Vinyard mean?
The last name Vinyard (sometimes spelt Vineyard) is an English-language surname derived from the Middle English and Old French words vinier or vignier, which refer to a vineyard worker or owner. The name likely originated as an occupational name referring to someone who worked in a vineyard, and later became a hereditary surname. It is thought to have been adopted in England during the 12th century, and to be very popular from the 14th century onward.
The English Vinyard surname can be found throughout England, but is especially common in the Southwest and the Midlands, where the occupation of vineyard worker was popular. There is also a high prevalence of the Vinyard name in Scotland; however, its origins are unclear.
It is a surname that can be found all over the world today due to migration and emigration. Vinyards that have moved to different countries have modified, adapted, and spelled their names differently, and these differences are what make identifying the origin of the name difficult.
Beyond spelling variations, the last name Vinyard is also a signifier of family history. It reflects the hard work of ancestors who were likely vineyard workers, as well as a story of movement and migration as the surname spread across countries and continents.
Order DNA origin analysisVinyard: Where does the name Vinyard come from?
The last name Vinyard is of French origin, and is most commonly found in France and the United States.
In France, Vinyard is spelled Vinard and is most prevalent in the area of Gironde, Aquitaine. It is also found in smaller numbers in the Limousin, Poitou-Charentes, Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions of France. In total, an estimated 8,600 people are living in France with this surname today.
In the United States, Vinyard is the 4,816th most common surname, and is most heavily concentrated in the state of Texas. It is also common in California, Alabama, Missouri, Michigan and Tennessee. In the United States, an estimated 12,300 people bear the last name Vinyard. It is also found throughout the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
Vinyard is also found in scattered pockets around the world. The name is found in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and parts of South America.
In total, approximately 20,900 individuals around the world bear the family name Vinyard today.
Variations of the surname Vinyard
Vinyard is a surname derived from an old French word 'vinier', which referred to a person who cultivated grapevines. Over the centuries, variations of this surname have evolved from Vinyard to Vinard, Venyard, Vinyard, Vynard, Vynyard, Venard, and Venyard. Although the spelling of the surname may have changed, the pronunciation remains the same.
In the United Kingdom, Vinyard is a localized variation of the French word, with Vynard and Vynyard being the more common versions. In the United States, Vinard, Venyard and Vinyard are the most popular spellings.
Due to immigration during the early 20th century, some variations of the name Vinyard spread to other countries, such as Australia and Canada, where many of the names have been Anglicized. In Oz, the name has been shortened to Vin and Veen, while in Canada, it is sometimes written as Venne or Vennard.
Additionally, other Anglo-Norman surnames such as Vinette, Venne, Venier, Veinard and Vineot are considered to be of the same origin as Vinyard. These names are found mostly in France and other French-speaking countries, although they are still relatively rare in the UK and USA.
Finally, there are many alternative spellings for the name Vinyard, including Vinor, Viners, Vinnas, Vyneyer, Winer, Vyne and Vyner. It is thought that these spellings were created during the English language’s transition from Latin to the modern English that we know today.
Famous people with the name Vinyard
- David Vinyard: David Vinyard is an American film producer and executive. He is notable for producing low-budget independent films and television series, as well as commercial works such as "Hall Pass" and "Super 8." He currently also serves as vice chairman of the San Francisco Film Society.
- Doug Vinyard: Doug Vinyard is an American actor who has appeared in television programs and films such as "The West Wing,""Lost,""Tru Blood,""Justified," and "Sons of Anarchy."
- Matt Vinyard: Matt Vinyard is an American screenwriter, producer, and director who has worked on films and television series such as "Pretty Little Liars,""Bates Motel,""The Magicians,""Deadliest Catch," and "The Mentalist."
- Bill Vinyard: Bill Vinyard is an American politician from the state of Alabama. He serves as a representative in the Alabama House of Representatives for the state's 73rd district and was elected in 2010.
- Jack Vinyard: Jack Vinyard is an American composer, arranger, and musical director. He is known for his work on the movies "The Polar Express" and "Elf," as well as the Broadway musicals "Wicked" and "Matilda," both of which he was an orchestrator and musical supervisor for.
- Joe Vinyard: Joe Vinyard is an American football coach who currently serves as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Fort Hays State University Tigers. Before that, he was also the offensive coordinator for the Iowa State Cyclones.
- Josh Vinyard: Josh Vinyard is an American former professional football player who played defensive back for the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Georgia and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Rob Vinyard: Rob Vinyard is an American producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work on the television series "Grey's Anatomy" and "NCIS: Los Angeles." He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, teaching courses on writing and producing television.
- Sam Vinyard: Sam Vinyard is an American actor who has appeared in television shows "True Blood,""Empire,""Shameless," and "ER," among others. He is also an artist who paints abstract and surreal imagery.