Wind is a topographical surname, of English origin, for someone who lived near a pathway, alleyway, or road. It is most popular in North East England, especially in Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland. The surname is also popular in the Netherlands and Denmark. The surname has several spellings including Waind, Wind, Wynd, Wain and Wean.
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Origins
Wind originates from the pre-7th century Old English gewind. It describes either a person who lived in a particularly windy area such as North East England or a "winding" road. In medieval times Wind was possibly given to a speedy runner or messenger.
The surname Wind was first found in Lancashire, a ceremonial county in North West England, at Windle with Hardshaw, a township, in the parish and union of Prescot, hundred of West Derby. "Before the reign of John, Windhull gave name to a family, of whom was Edusa, widow of Alan de Windhull, who obtained from that king a summons for her dower against Alan de Windhull, son of the former."
Incidence, frequency and rank in area
According to Forebears.io, the highest incidence of the Wind surname can be found in the United States, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
Notable people with the surname
Alex Wind (born 2001), American student activist
Cornelis Wind (1867–1911), Dutch physicist
Diana Wind (born 1957), Dutch art historian
Dorothy Wind, American baseball player
Edgar Wind (1900–1971), British historian
Edmund De Wind (1883–1918), Canadian/Irish war hero
Franz Ludwig Wind (1719–1989), Swiss sculptor
Hans Wind (1919–1995), Finnish World War II flying ace
Harmen Wind (1945–2010), Dutch poet
Henning Wind (1937–2025), Danish competitive sailor
Herbert Warren Wind (1916–2005), American writer
John Wind (1819–1863), English architect
Jonas Wind (born 1999), Danish footballer
Kim Wind (born 1957), Danish rower
Marlene Wind (born 1963), Danish political scientist
Nymphia Wind (born 1995), Taiwanese and American drag performer
Per Wind (born 1955), Danish footballer
Per Wind (born 1947), Danish rower