About us
FTDNA Winn Surname Project seeks members with Winn/Wynn/Wynne surname from Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia, the United States, and other countries around the globe. Members from Wales with Wynn surname are especially welcome, as "Wynn" is a Welsh-origin surname.
Winn Surname Project is a growing DNA project. Our members have a variety of research areas. We continue to work towards better defining the results and comparing them to member-submitted family trees. Submitting a gedcom is an important part of the process. We ask all members to login to their individual member page, then use the "myFamilyTree" tool at the bottom of your member page to either create or upload a gedcom to your member profile. To create a gedcom, enter one generation at a time beginning with name, birth and death dates, county and state, for each of your parents; and then add grandparents, great grandparents, and as many generations as you are able to document using birth & death certificates, wills, deeds, census records, etc. Please include all of your known Winn/Wynn generations. If you have questions, please contact Project administrator, Stephanie Miller, at stephwm@cox.net
We encourage members to consider upgrading their current Y-DNA test to Big Y 700. The Big Y 700 test delivers advanced Y-DNA results, including confirmed terminal haplogroup. This test was developed by FTDNA as their gold standard Y-DNA test for surname projects.
Winn Surname Project has identified the following Y-DNA paternal lineage groups, based on Y-DNA results and matches, in combination with member-submitted family trees:
Y-DNA Group D. The Thomas Winn of Clark Co. KY Group is comprised of descendants of Thomas Winn (c1737-1792) of Clark Co. Kentucky. Thomas Winn received a land grant in 1785 for 400 acres on Stoners Fork in Fayette County, Kentucky. This land was in Clark County after the county division. Thomas Winn died intestate, 1792. A lawsuit over Thomas's estate settlement, filed 1818 Clark County, Kentucky, identified his children as William Winn of Ohio, John Winn & Thomas Winn of Missouri, Daniel Winn, James Winn, and several daughters. Descendants migrated to Clermont County, Ohio, and to Boone and Macon Counties, Missouri. This group's predicted haplogroup is R-M269.
Y-DNA Group EA. The George Wynns Group is comprised of descendants George Wynns (c1675-1751) and his wife Rose Bush. George Wynns was born c1675 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. His parents are unknown. In 1718, George purchased land in Chowan County, North Carolina, and he was granted another 400 acres along Chowan River and Wiccacon Creek in 1720. After later county divisions, his land fell in Bertie County and is presently located in Hertford County. Five sons were named in George Wynns' will, 1751, Bertie County, North Carolina, as follows: George Wynns, Joseph Wynns, Benjamin Wynns, William Wynns, and John Wynns. The town of Winton, North Carolina, is the namesake of George's son Benjamin Wynns, as Benjamin donated 100 acres for the Town Common (originally 'Wynntown'). Descendants of George Wynns's sons Joseph and John Wynns have tested with Winn Surname Project. This group's predicted haplogroup is R-M269.
Y-DNA Group F. The Dr. Thomas Wynne Group is a Welsh-origin surname group comprised of descendants of Dr. Thomas Wynne (1627-1692), Quaker, Welsh immigrant to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1682 with William Penn. He was William Penn's personal physician. He also served as the first Speaker of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1682. Dr. Thomas Wynne was born in Flintshire and was the son of Thomas ap John ap Rhys Wynne of Ysceifiog, Flintshire, Wales. Thomas Wynne married first, Martha Buttall and second, Mrs. Elizabeth Rowden. His stone home "Wynnestay" was built 1689 and is known as Philadelphia's oldest existing private residence. Thomas Wynne and Martha Buttall had one son, Jonathan Wynne, whose descendants resided at Wynnestay for almost two hundred years. Descendants of Dr. Thomas Wynne's son Jonathan have tested with Winn Surname Project. Group F has tested positive for the M253 Scandinavian Branch with ancient origin in Chalcolithic Europe. This group's confirmed haplogroup is I-M253 > DF29 > Z139 > S2293 > A6756 > A6760 > BY166463. This group has other surname matches at haplogroup branch I-A6756, which emerged estimated 799 CE.
Y-DNA Group JC. The Hugh Gwynn Group is comprised of descendants of Hugh Gwynn (c1590-1654), Colonial-Era immigrant to Gloucester & Mathews Counties, Virginia. Hugh "Wing" was recorded with passage to Virginia in 1620 aboard the George. He married first, Ann Burnham, and second, Elizabeth. Hugh Gwynn was appointed Burgess of Charles City County in 1639, Burgess of York County in 1641 and 1646, and Burgess of Gloucester County in 1652. He had two Northern Neck land grants in Virginia for land on the Piankatank River in 1642 and 1653. In the 1642 grant, he received head rights for the transportation of Mrs. Ann Gwynn and Hugh Gwynn into the Colony. His 1642 grant included much of the island called "Gwynn Island," as well as land on the south side of Milford Haven. He also owned land in Isle of Wight County. Gwynn's sons were, purportedly: (1) Hugh Gwynn, c1625-Aft.1657, patented 165 acres on Milford Haven Creek in 1657; and (2) Rev. John Gwynn, c1627-1723, Rector of Ware Parish (1672) & Abingdon Parish (1674, 1680), married Mrs. Margaret Keeble Bridges, widow of Francis Bridges. A grandson of the immigrant was Hugh Gwyn (c1702-1768; m. Peyton Humphrey), Vestryman of Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, 1726-1768, and principal landowner of Gwynn's Island. They resided at Gwynnville, Gloucester County, until his death in 1768. Among their children were three sons: Richard Gwyn (m. Sarah Ransom), Hugh Gwyn (m. Sarah Rice) and Daniel Gwyn (m. Zipporah Rice). All three sons migrated from Virginia to North Carolina, settling in Wilkes & Caswell Counties and that portion of Guilford County which became Rockingham County. Another branch of this Gwynn family is comprised of descendants of Rev. John Gwynn & Margaret Keeble's son, Edmund Gwyn (c1750-1783; m. Lucy Bernard). Group JC has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch, as well descending haplogroup branch R-DF13, the latter of which is characteristic of the majority of living male inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF13 > Z39589 > CTS1751 > BY3927 > BY30575 > BY24215 > BY30586 > BY30595 > FTC29625.
Y-DNA Group K. Group K is the Winn/Puleston Group. It is a Welsh-origin group. Within Group K, there are six subgroups identified by six Colonial-Era Winn ancestors, which Y-DNA testing has determined to be one group sharing one Welsh paternal ancestor. On the Y-DNA Results Chart, Group K Winn subgroups are labeled K1 through K6 by Colonial Winn ancestor and confirmed haplogroup. Those subgroups are as follows:
*(K1) Minor Winn (1704-1778) m. Margaret Connor; moved up the Rappahannock River from Caroline County to Culpepper, then to Fauquier County, Virginia. Sons were John (m1. Dorothea Wright; m2. Penelope Kirkland), William (m1. Ann Lingan; m2. Rosamond Hampton), Minor (m. Elizabeth Withers), James (m. Hannah Withers), and Richard Winn (m. Priscilla McKinney). Notable descendants include the youngest son Richard Winn (1750-1818), Major General of the South Carolina Militia & Representative of South Carolina in the 3rd, 4th, and 7th-12th U. S. Congress.
*(K2) Daniel Winn (1715-1789; Will written 1789 & probated 1799) m. Sarah; resident of Prince George County, Virginia, 1744-1755, and moved to Lunenburg County in 1756. His nine sons include Joseph (b. 1739; m. Elizabeth Winn, a cousin), Thomas (m. Joyce Farguson), John (m. Susanna), Alexander (m1. Elizabeth Barnes; m2. Mrs. Jane Stone, widow), Elisha (m. Lucy Ellett), Orsamus (m. Frances Jeter), William (m. Elizabeth), James (m. Mary Ann Winn, a kinswoman), and Galanus Winn (m. Rebecca Lester).
*(K3) John Winn (1719-1795) m. Anne Stone; resident of Brunswick & Lunenburg Counties, Virginia. His 1740 Brunswick County Land Grant fell in Lunenburg County after the county division in 1748. Sons were John (m. Mary Lyall), Peter (m. Letty Stone), Littleberry (m. Mary Maynard), and Mourning Winn (m. Sarah Jones).
*(K4) Col. Thomas Winn (1720-1781) m1. Elizabeth Banister and m2. Sarah; resident of Hanover County Virginia in 1743, and moved to Brunswick & Lunenburg Counties after 1745. His 1746 Land Deed in Brunswick County fell in Lunenburg County after the county division in 1748. Sons of his 1st marriage were John (d. 1768; m. Susanna), Thomas (m1. Philadelphia; m2. Letitia Martin), William (m. Elizabeth), Richard (m. Sarah Hall), and Banister (m. Jane Barnard). Sons of his 2nd marriage were Edmund (m. Elizabeth Cousins), and Washington Winn (never married).
*(K5) Richard Winn (1701-1750) m. Mrs. Phebe Pledger, widow. Richard was born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and resident of Hanover County in 1731. He also owned a quarter plantation in Amelia County. Richard Winn's baptism in 1701 was recorded in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co. Virginia to parents Richard Winn (b. c1672) & Sarah of Middlesex County. Richard Winn & Phebe Pledger's only son, John Winn (c1730-1780), served as Burgess of Amelia County 1778-1761 and 1769-1776, Amelia County Delegate to the Fifth Virginia Convention of 1776, and Amelia County Delegate 1777-1778. John Winn married Susanna Irby. After his death, John's widow Susanna inherited his plantation and mill on Little Nottoway River & Lazaretta Creek in Amelia, which land fell in Nottoway County after the county division in 1788. John & Susanna's sons were Richard (m. Jane Pincham), John (m. Myrtila Minor), and Charles Winn.
*(K6) John Winn (1705-1789) m1. Elizabeth and m2. Mary Pledger; born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and resident of Hanover County in 1728. He lived in Hanover County until his death after 1789. John Winn's baptism in January 1705 was recorded in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co. Virginia to parents Richard Winn (b. c1672) & Sarah of Middlesex County. In 1754, John Winn gave a deposition in Hanover County Court as testimony in an Amelia County Chancery Court lawsuit, Johnson vs. Martin, saying that he, "John Winn of Hanover County," was then 48 years old and knew John Johnson 26 years ago in Hanover County when he lived on a tract joining to Johnson, which was formerly owned by Michael Holland. John Winn was born 1706 (new style) by the Greogorian Calendar adopted in Virginia in 1752, and 1705 (old style) by the former Julian Calendar discarded in 1752. John Winn married his second wife Mary Pledger in 1738, after the death of first wife Elizabeth. A portrait of his wife, "Mrs. Mary Winn of Jessamine Lawn," by Charles Bridges is catalogued in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Catalogue. John Winn and Mary Pledger's sons were Hezekiah (m. Christiana Bowles), John (m. Mary Bowles), Thomas (m. Elizabeth Dabney Anderson), and Peter Winn (m. Sally George King). Notable descendants include their grandson, John Winn (1782-1837), merchant of Charlottesville and member of Central College Donors and Founders to the University of Virginia Commissioners, whose Belmont plantation in Charlottesville neighbored Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. John Winn was said to be instrumental to the building of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
THE WELSH ANCESTORS of Group K are thought to be John, Thomas and Robert, sons of Gruffydd Wynn of Bryn Yr Owen, Denbighshire (now Wrexham). Welsh record states that Gruffydd Wynn had three sons: John Wynn; Robert Wynn, went abroad; and Thomas Wynn, went to Maryland. [Source: J. Y. W. Lloyd, 1882. The History of the Princes, The Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, Vol. III, p.16]. Gruffydd Wynn was a son of Richard Wynn of Trefechan ap John Wynn of Trefechan ap Edward ap Howell ap Edward ap Magog Puleston of Bersham. Wynn of Trefechan was a cadet branch of the Puleston family who settled in Newport, Shropshire, at the time of the Norman Conquest and was later seated at Worthenbury. According to the National Archives (UK), the Puleston family originated from north France and settled on the north Welsh border.
Group K has tested positive for the DF99 Belgique-Celtic Branch. The confirmed haplogroup for Group K is R-M269 > P312 > FGC84729 > DF99 > BY3450 > BY3447 > BY152317. All six Winn subgroups in Group K descend from one Winn paternal ancestor, whom FTDNA estimates was born 1598 CE. FTDNA has determined that a haplogroup branch split occurred between Group K Winn descendants positive for haplogroup R-BY152317>BY153961 and those who are positive for R-BY152317 but negative for BY153961. The branch split occurred in a Winn paternal ancestor born estimated 1650 CE, a generation before Richard Winn, b. 1672, of Middlesex County, Virginia.
*Notice to Group K Winn members: If you have a family tree with ancestry from (K2) Daniel Winn, (K3) John Winn Sr., or (K4) Col. Thomas Winn Sr. of Lunenburg VA, whom you've linked on your family tree with a paternal lineage from Robert Wynne (m. Mary Sloman), grandson of Robert Wynne, Mayor of Canterbury, please be aware it is an erroneous connection. Group K Y-DNA does not match descendants of Mayor Robert Wynne (Group M), therefore the two groups are unrelated on the paternal line. We ask our Group K Winn members to disconnect generations linking back to Robert Wynne/Mary Sloman from their trees. Old publications with genealogies connecting the two families were in error. Group K Winn and Group M Wynne are unrelated on their paternal line for thousands of years, as proven by Y-DNA haplogroup results. Group K has a DF99 haplogroup branch-split off R-P312, while Group M also has a DF27 haplogroup branch-split off R-P312, and with both splits occurring estimated 4500 years before present; therefore, the two groups cannot be related on the same surname.
Y-DNA Group M. The Robert Wynne, Mayor of Canterbury, Group is an English-origin surname group. Robert Wynne was born 1563 in "Salop" according to depositions he gave in Kent ("Salop" is an antiquated name for Shropshire). The portion of Wynne's deposition which named the town in Salop where he was born has been damaged/torn and illegible, therefore his exact birthplace is unknown. No correlating christening record has been found to substantiate either the year of his birth in Shropshire or the names of his parents, therefore his paternal ancestry is unknown. Robert Wynne married Frances Wattmer at Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire. Robert Wynne served as Mayor of Canterbury, Kent, England, and member of the Drapers Guild prior to his death in 1609. He was buried at St. George's Church, Canterbury, alongside his wife Frances. They were parents of five children: Thomas, Peter, John, Robert, Elizabeth and Anne. Their son Peter Wynne married Martha Coppin in 1620 in Kent, England. Peter and Martha's son, Robert Wynne (1622–1675), emigrated from Kent to Charles City County in Virginia Colony, where Robert served as Burgess of Charles City County and Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses during the Virginia Long Parliament. While in Virginia, Robert Wynne married Mary Sloman Poythress, widow of Francis Poythress. They were parents of the following children: Thomas Wynne, c1657-1718 (m. Agnes Stith), Joshua Wynne, c1662-1712 (m. Mary Jones), Robert Wynne (died young), and Mary Wynne (m. John Woodlief). The generational connection is proved by the Will of Robert Wynne, Speaker, who bequeathed the same properties in England to his sons in Virginia, which his father Peter Wynne of Kent had previously willed to him in England. Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne, sons of Robert Wynne, Speaker, moved to Surry and Prince George Counties. Thomas Wynne had two sons, Robert and Thomas, mentioned in his Will; and he may have had a third son, Sloman, by a previous marriage. Joshua Wynne had five sons, Peter, Joshua, William, Robert, and Francis Wynne. Group M Wynne has tested positive for the DF27 Gallo-Iberian Branch. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M Wynne is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > FT335851 > FT373292.
In addition, Group M Wynne has Y-DNA matches to Lake descendants of John Leake (1658-1731), Innkeeper of Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, Maryland. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M1 Lake is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > FT335851. Group M Wynne also has matches to Davis descendants of Colonial-Era Davis families of New York & New Jersey. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M2 Davis is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > BY34388. All three groups (Group M Wynne, Group M1 Lake, and Group M2 Davis) are positive for haplogroup branch R-BY34389, therefore these three groups descend from a paternal ancestor who was positive for BY34389 and estimated born circa 1157 CE in the West Midlands of England, formerly the Welsh Marches. In addition, Group M Wynne has Y-DNA matches to two additional Davis surname groups (M3 Davis of Staffordshire ENG and M4 Davies of Middlesex ENG) and M5 Kelsall of Staffordshire ENG, all positive for the more ancient ascending haplogroup BY3290. FTDNA has estimated BY3290 emerged in Group M's paternal line circa 816 CE.
Y-DNA Group N. This group is comprised of descendants of John Wynne (c1710-1772), York County, Virginia. John Wynne, described as "Planter," sold tobacco through John Norton & Sons, merchants of Yorktown and London, as verified by 18th century shipping records. Wynne married Lucy Hill Toplis, widow of William Toplis, and their union produced several children including two sons, Thomas and Edmund Wynne. Descendants of this group also lived in Warwick County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch, as well as descending haplogroup branch R-DF13, the latter of which is characteristic of the majority of living male inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF13 > Z39589 > DF41 > FGC13023 > FGC13024 > FGC13026 > FGC13014 > FGC13038. There is a descendant group called the John Wynne Society, with a published newsletter available online.
Y-DNA Group Q. This group is comprised of descendants of Edward Winn of Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This is an English-origin surname group. Edward Winn (c1609-1682), "carpenter," was hired in Broughton Gifford Parish, Wiltshire, England, and transported with his wife and children to New England by Barnabas Davis about 1639. In 1640, Edward Winn was one of 32 signatories establishing the town of Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He resided at Woburn until his death in 1682. His children were as follows: two daughters, Ann Winn (m. Moses Cleveland) and Elizabeth Winn (m. George Polly); and two sons, Joseph Winn (m. Rebekah Reed) and Increase Winn (m. Hannah Sawtell). Increase Winn, born 1641, was the first recorded birth in Woburn. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch. This Winn group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21.
Y-DNA Group R. The Pieter Winne (1609-c1693), Flanders to New York, Group is a Belgium-origin surname group. This group is comprised of descendants of Pieter Winne (1609-c1693), born in Ghent, an emigrant from Flanders (Belgium) to Kingston, Ulster County, New York. Pieter Winne married first, Archie Jans van Schaick; and he married second, Tannatje Adams. Pieter Winne settled at Bethlehem, Albany County, New York, where he raised a large family of thirteen children: Pieter Pieterse, Adam, Lavinus, Frans, Alette, Killian, Catalyntje, Tomas, Martin, Eva, Jacob's, Rachel, and Daniel. Many descendants remained in New York, and others migrated to New Jersey or the Great Lakes region. This group has tested positive for the U106 Germanic Branch. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > L151 > U106 > Z2265 > BY41998 > ZP125 > ZP150 > ZP187. The Pieter Winne Group also has matches to Group R1 De Burghgraeve/Burrgraeve/Burchgrave of Belgium at confirmed haplogroup R-M269 > L151 > U106 > Z2265 > BY41998 > ZP125 > ZP150 > ZP187. FTDNA estimates the MRCA of ZP187 was born estimated 1137 CE.
Y-DNA Group SA. The Samuel Gwinn Group is comprised of descendants of Samuel Gwinn (1751-1839), Augusta County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch and M222 Northwest Modal Haplotype, the latter of which is of Irish origin. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF49 > M222 > DF105 > S588 > FGC23742 > FGC52024.
Y-DNA Group SC. The Queen Group is comprised of descendants of John Queen (1755-1842), Loudoun County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch and M222 Northwest Modal Haplotype, the latter of which is of Irish origin. The Queen group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF49 > M222 > DF105 > S588 > FGC16740 > BY62083 > BY104994. This group has Quinn & Gwin Y-DNA matches at haplogroup branch R-BY62083.
Winn Surname Project has other groups with lineages which are still being sorted. A large number of our groups have only one member tested. If you have DNA results from another test site, we encourage you to transfer your DNA results to FTDNA Winn Surname Project. If you are a male Winn of any spelling, we encourage you to test with the project.
We are also seeking descendants of the following American Colonial-Era Winn/Wynn families to test with the project:
Winn Surname Project is a growing DNA project. Our members have a variety of research areas. We continue to work towards better defining the results and comparing them to member-submitted family trees. Submitting a gedcom is an important part of the process. We ask all members to login to their individual member page, then use the "myFamilyTree" tool at the bottom of your member page to either create or upload a gedcom to your member profile. To create a gedcom, enter one generation at a time beginning with name, birth and death dates, county and state, for each of your parents; and then add grandparents, great grandparents, and as many generations as you are able to document using birth & death certificates, wills, deeds, census records, etc. Please include all of your known Winn/Wynn generations. If you have questions, please contact Project administrator, Stephanie Miller, at stephwm@cox.net
We encourage members to consider upgrading their current Y-DNA test to Big Y 700. The Big Y 700 test delivers advanced Y-DNA results, including confirmed terminal haplogroup. This test was developed by FTDNA as their gold standard Y-DNA test for surname projects.
Winn Surname Project has identified the following Y-DNA paternal lineage groups, based on Y-DNA results and matches, in combination with member-submitted family trees:
Y-DNA Group D. The Thomas Winn of Clark Co. KY Group is comprised of descendants of Thomas Winn (c1737-1792) of Clark Co. Kentucky. Thomas Winn received a land grant in 1785 for 400 acres on Stoners Fork in Fayette County, Kentucky. This land was in Clark County after the county division. Thomas Winn died intestate, 1792. A lawsuit over Thomas's estate settlement, filed 1818 Clark County, Kentucky, identified his children as William Winn of Ohio, John Winn & Thomas Winn of Missouri, Daniel Winn, James Winn, and several daughters. Descendants migrated to Clermont County, Ohio, and to Boone and Macon Counties, Missouri. This group's predicted haplogroup is R-M269.
Y-DNA Group EA. The George Wynns Group is comprised of descendants George Wynns (c1675-1751) and his wife Rose Bush. George Wynns was born c1675 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. His parents are unknown. In 1718, George purchased land in Chowan County, North Carolina, and he was granted another 400 acres along Chowan River and Wiccacon Creek in 1720. After later county divisions, his land fell in Bertie County and is presently located in Hertford County. Five sons were named in George Wynns' will, 1751, Bertie County, North Carolina, as follows: George Wynns, Joseph Wynns, Benjamin Wynns, William Wynns, and John Wynns. The town of Winton, North Carolina, is the namesake of George's son Benjamin Wynns, as Benjamin donated 100 acres for the Town Common (originally 'Wynntown'). Descendants of George Wynns's sons Joseph and John Wynns have tested with Winn Surname Project. This group's predicted haplogroup is R-M269.
Y-DNA Group F. The Dr. Thomas Wynne Group is a Welsh-origin surname group comprised of descendants of Dr. Thomas Wynne (1627-1692), Quaker, Welsh immigrant to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1682 with William Penn. He was William Penn's personal physician. He also served as the first Speaker of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1682. Dr. Thomas Wynne was born in Flintshire and was the son of Thomas ap John ap Rhys Wynne of Ysceifiog, Flintshire, Wales. Thomas Wynne married first, Martha Buttall and second, Mrs. Elizabeth Rowden. His stone home "Wynnestay" was built 1689 and is known as Philadelphia's oldest existing private residence. Thomas Wynne and Martha Buttall had one son, Jonathan Wynne, whose descendants resided at Wynnestay for almost two hundred years. Descendants of Dr. Thomas Wynne's son Jonathan have tested with Winn Surname Project. Group F has tested positive for the M253 Scandinavian Branch with ancient origin in Chalcolithic Europe. This group's confirmed haplogroup is I-M253 > DF29 > Z139 > S2293 > A6756 > A6760 > BY166463. This group has other surname matches at haplogroup branch I-A6756, which emerged estimated 799 CE.
Y-DNA Group JC. The Hugh Gwynn Group is comprised of descendants of Hugh Gwynn (c1590-1654), Colonial-Era immigrant to Gloucester & Mathews Counties, Virginia. Hugh "Wing" was recorded with passage to Virginia in 1620 aboard the George. He married first, Ann Burnham, and second, Elizabeth. Hugh Gwynn was appointed Burgess of Charles City County in 1639, Burgess of York County in 1641 and 1646, and Burgess of Gloucester County in 1652. He had two Northern Neck land grants in Virginia for land on the Piankatank River in 1642 and 1653. In the 1642 grant, he received head rights for the transportation of Mrs. Ann Gwynn and Hugh Gwynn into the Colony. His 1642 grant included much of the island called "Gwynn Island," as well as land on the south side of Milford Haven. He also owned land in Isle of Wight County. Gwynn's sons were, purportedly: (1) Hugh Gwynn, c1625-Aft.1657, patented 165 acres on Milford Haven Creek in 1657; and (2) Rev. John Gwynn, c1627-1723, Rector of Ware Parish (1672) & Abingdon Parish (1674, 1680), married Mrs. Margaret Keeble Bridges, widow of Francis Bridges. A grandson of the immigrant was Hugh Gwyn (c1702-1768; m. Peyton Humphrey), Vestryman of Kingston Parish, Gloucester County, 1726-1768, and principal landowner of Gwynn's Island. They resided at Gwynnville, Gloucester County, until his death in 1768. Among their children were three sons: Richard Gwyn (m. Sarah Ransom), Hugh Gwyn (m. Sarah Rice) and Daniel Gwyn (m. Zipporah Rice). All three sons migrated from Virginia to North Carolina, settling in Wilkes & Caswell Counties and that portion of Guilford County which became Rockingham County. Another branch of this Gwynn family is comprised of descendants of Rev. John Gwynn & Margaret Keeble's son, Edmund Gwyn (c1750-1783; m. Lucy Bernard). Group JC has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch, as well descending haplogroup branch R-DF13, the latter of which is characteristic of the majority of living male inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF13 > Z39589 > CTS1751 > BY3927 > BY30575 > BY24215 > BY30586 > BY30595 > FTC29625.
Y-DNA Group K. Group K is the Winn/Puleston Group. It is a Welsh-origin group. Within Group K, there are six subgroups identified by six Colonial-Era Winn ancestors, which Y-DNA testing has determined to be one group sharing one Welsh paternal ancestor. On the Y-DNA Results Chart, Group K Winn subgroups are labeled K1 through K6 by Colonial Winn ancestor and confirmed haplogroup. Those subgroups are as follows:
*(K1) Minor Winn (1704-1778) m. Margaret Connor; moved up the Rappahannock River from Caroline County to Culpepper, then to Fauquier County, Virginia. Sons were John (m1. Dorothea Wright; m2. Penelope Kirkland), William (m1. Ann Lingan; m2. Rosamond Hampton), Minor (m. Elizabeth Withers), James (m. Hannah Withers), and Richard Winn (m. Priscilla McKinney). Notable descendants include the youngest son Richard Winn (1750-1818), Major General of the South Carolina Militia & Representative of South Carolina in the 3rd, 4th, and 7th-12th U. S. Congress.
*(K2) Daniel Winn (1715-1789; Will written 1789 & probated 1799) m. Sarah; resident of Prince George County, Virginia, 1744-1755, and moved to Lunenburg County in 1756. His nine sons include Joseph (b. 1739; m. Elizabeth Winn, a cousin), Thomas (m. Joyce Farguson), John (m. Susanna), Alexander (m1. Elizabeth Barnes; m2. Mrs. Jane Stone, widow), Elisha (m. Lucy Ellett), Orsamus (m. Frances Jeter), William (m. Elizabeth), James (m. Mary Ann Winn, a kinswoman), and Galanus Winn (m. Rebecca Lester).
*(K3) John Winn (1719-1795) m. Anne Stone; resident of Brunswick & Lunenburg Counties, Virginia. His 1740 Brunswick County Land Grant fell in Lunenburg County after the county division in 1748. Sons were John (m. Mary Lyall), Peter (m. Letty Stone), Littleberry (m. Mary Maynard), and Mourning Winn (m. Sarah Jones).
*(K4) Col. Thomas Winn (1720-1781) m1. Elizabeth Banister and m2. Sarah; resident of Hanover County Virginia in 1743, and moved to Brunswick & Lunenburg Counties after 1745. His 1746 Land Deed in Brunswick County fell in Lunenburg County after the county division in 1748. Sons of his 1st marriage were John (d. 1768; m. Susanna), Thomas (m1. Philadelphia; m2. Letitia Martin), William (m. Elizabeth), Richard (m. Sarah Hall), and Banister (m. Jane Barnard). Sons of his 2nd marriage were Edmund (m. Elizabeth Cousins), and Washington Winn (never married).
*(K5) Richard Winn (1701-1750) m. Mrs. Phebe Pledger, widow. Richard was born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and resident of Hanover County in 1731. He also owned a quarter plantation in Amelia County. Richard Winn's baptism in 1701 was recorded in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co. Virginia to parents Richard Winn (b. c1672) & Sarah of Middlesex County. Richard Winn & Phebe Pledger's only son, John Winn (c1730-1780), served as Burgess of Amelia County 1778-1761 and 1769-1776, Amelia County Delegate to the Fifth Virginia Convention of 1776, and Amelia County Delegate 1777-1778. John Winn married Susanna Irby. After his death, John's widow Susanna inherited his plantation and mill on Little Nottoway River & Lazaretta Creek in Amelia, which land fell in Nottoway County after the county division in 1788. John & Susanna's sons were Richard (m. Jane Pincham), John (m. Myrtila Minor), and Charles Winn.
*(K6) John Winn (1705-1789) m1. Elizabeth and m2. Mary Pledger; born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and resident of Hanover County in 1728. He lived in Hanover County until his death after 1789. John Winn's baptism in January 1705 was recorded in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co. Virginia to parents Richard Winn (b. c1672) & Sarah of Middlesex County. In 1754, John Winn gave a deposition in Hanover County Court as testimony in an Amelia County Chancery Court lawsuit, Johnson vs. Martin, saying that he, "John Winn of Hanover County," was then 48 years old and knew John Johnson 26 years ago in Hanover County when he lived on a tract joining to Johnson, which was formerly owned by Michael Holland. John Winn was born 1706 (new style) by the Greogorian Calendar adopted in Virginia in 1752, and 1705 (old style) by the former Julian Calendar discarded in 1752. John Winn married his second wife Mary Pledger in 1738, after the death of first wife Elizabeth. A portrait of his wife, "Mrs. Mary Winn of Jessamine Lawn," by Charles Bridges is catalogued in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Catalogue. John Winn and Mary Pledger's sons were Hezekiah (m. Christiana Bowles), John (m. Mary Bowles), Thomas (m. Elizabeth Dabney Anderson), and Peter Winn (m. Sally George King). Notable descendants include their grandson, John Winn (1782-1837), merchant of Charlottesville and member of Central College Donors and Founders to the University of Virginia Commissioners, whose Belmont plantation in Charlottesville neighbored Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. John Winn was said to be instrumental to the building of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
THE WELSH ANCESTORS of Group K are thought to be John, Thomas and Robert, sons of Gruffydd Wynn of Bryn Yr Owen, Denbighshire (now Wrexham). Welsh record states that Gruffydd Wynn had three sons: John Wynn; Robert Wynn, went abroad; and Thomas Wynn, went to Maryland. [Source: J. Y. W. Lloyd, 1882. The History of the Princes, The Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, Vol. III, p.16]. Gruffydd Wynn was a son of Richard Wynn of Trefechan ap John Wynn of Trefechan ap Edward ap Howell ap Edward ap Magog Puleston of Bersham. Wynn of Trefechan was a cadet branch of the Puleston family who settled in Newport, Shropshire, at the time of the Norman Conquest and was later seated at Worthenbury. According to the National Archives (UK), the Puleston family originated from north France and settled on the north Welsh border.
Group K has tested positive for the DF99 Belgique-Celtic Branch. The confirmed haplogroup for Group K is R-M269 > P312 > FGC84729 > DF99 > BY3450 > BY3447 > BY152317. All six Winn subgroups in Group K descend from one Winn paternal ancestor, whom FTDNA estimates was born 1598 CE. FTDNA has determined that a haplogroup branch split occurred between Group K Winn descendants positive for haplogroup R-BY152317>BY153961 and those who are positive for R-BY152317 but negative for BY153961. The branch split occurred in a Winn paternal ancestor born estimated 1650 CE, a generation before Richard Winn, b. 1672, of Middlesex County, Virginia.
*Notice to Group K Winn members: If you have a family tree with ancestry from (K2) Daniel Winn, (K3) John Winn Sr., or (K4) Col. Thomas Winn Sr. of Lunenburg VA, whom you've linked on your family tree with a paternal lineage from Robert Wynne (m. Mary Sloman), grandson of Robert Wynne, Mayor of Canterbury, please be aware it is an erroneous connection. Group K Y-DNA does not match descendants of Mayor Robert Wynne (Group M), therefore the two groups are unrelated on the paternal line. We ask our Group K Winn members to disconnect generations linking back to Robert Wynne/Mary Sloman from their trees. Old publications with genealogies connecting the two families were in error. Group K Winn and Group M Wynne are unrelated on their paternal line for thousands of years, as proven by Y-DNA haplogroup results. Group K has a DF99 haplogroup branch-split off R-P312, while Group M also has a DF27 haplogroup branch-split off R-P312, and with both splits occurring estimated 4500 years before present; therefore, the two groups cannot be related on the same surname.
Y-DNA Group M. The Robert Wynne, Mayor of Canterbury, Group is an English-origin surname group. Robert Wynne was born 1563 in "Salop" according to depositions he gave in Kent ("Salop" is an antiquated name for Shropshire). The portion of Wynne's deposition which named the town in Salop where he was born has been damaged/torn and illegible, therefore his exact birthplace is unknown. No correlating christening record has been found to substantiate either the year of his birth in Shropshire or the names of his parents, therefore his paternal ancestry is unknown. Robert Wynne married Frances Wattmer at Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire. Robert Wynne served as Mayor of Canterbury, Kent, England, and member of the Drapers Guild prior to his death in 1609. He was buried at St. George's Church, Canterbury, alongside his wife Frances. They were parents of five children: Thomas, Peter, John, Robert, Elizabeth and Anne. Their son Peter Wynne married Martha Coppin in 1620 in Kent, England. Peter and Martha's son, Robert Wynne (1622–1675), emigrated from Kent to Charles City County in Virginia Colony, where Robert served as Burgess of Charles City County and Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses during the Virginia Long Parliament. While in Virginia, Robert Wynne married Mary Sloman Poythress, widow of Francis Poythress. They were parents of the following children: Thomas Wynne, c1657-1718 (m. Agnes Stith), Joshua Wynne, c1662-1712 (m. Mary Jones), Robert Wynne (died young), and Mary Wynne (m. John Woodlief). The generational connection is proved by the Will of Robert Wynne, Speaker, who bequeathed the same properties in England to his sons in Virginia, which his father Peter Wynne of Kent had previously willed to him in England. Thomas Wynne and Joshua Wynne, sons of Robert Wynne, Speaker, moved to Surry and Prince George Counties. Thomas Wynne had two sons, Robert and Thomas, mentioned in his Will; and he may have had a third son, Sloman, by a previous marriage. Joshua Wynne had five sons, Peter, Joshua, William, Robert, and Francis Wynne. Group M Wynne has tested positive for the DF27 Gallo-Iberian Branch. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M Wynne is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > FT335851 > FT373292.
In addition, Group M Wynne has Y-DNA matches to Lake descendants of John Leake (1658-1731), Innkeeper of Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, Maryland. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M1 Lake is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > FT335851. Group M Wynne also has matches to Davis descendants of Colonial-Era Davis families of New York & New Jersey. The confirmed haplogroup for Group M2 Davis is R-M269 > P312 > DF27 > ZZ12 > FTT1 > FGC78762 > ZZ19 > Z31644 > FTT95 > BY3290 > BY34387 > BY34389 > BY34388. All three groups (Group M Wynne, Group M1 Lake, and Group M2 Davis) are positive for haplogroup branch R-BY34389, therefore these three groups descend from a paternal ancestor who was positive for BY34389 and estimated born circa 1157 CE in the West Midlands of England, formerly the Welsh Marches. In addition, Group M Wynne has Y-DNA matches to two additional Davis surname groups (M3 Davis of Staffordshire ENG and M4 Davies of Middlesex ENG) and M5 Kelsall of Staffordshire ENG, all positive for the more ancient ascending haplogroup BY3290. FTDNA has estimated BY3290 emerged in Group M's paternal line circa 816 CE.
Y-DNA Group N. This group is comprised of descendants of John Wynne (c1710-1772), York County, Virginia. John Wynne, described as "Planter," sold tobacco through John Norton & Sons, merchants of Yorktown and London, as verified by 18th century shipping records. Wynne married Lucy Hill Toplis, widow of William Toplis, and their union produced several children including two sons, Thomas and Edmund Wynne. Descendants of this group also lived in Warwick County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch, as well as descending haplogroup branch R-DF13, the latter of which is characteristic of the majority of living male inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF13 > Z39589 > DF41 > FGC13023 > FGC13024 > FGC13026 > FGC13014 > FGC13038. There is a descendant group called the John Wynne Society, with a published newsletter available online.
Y-DNA Group Q. This group is comprised of descendants of Edward Winn of Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This is an English-origin surname group. Edward Winn (c1609-1682), "carpenter," was hired in Broughton Gifford Parish, Wiltshire, England, and transported with his wife and children to New England by Barnabas Davis about 1639. In 1640, Edward Winn was one of 32 signatories establishing the town of Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He resided at Woburn until his death in 1682. His children were as follows: two daughters, Ann Winn (m. Moses Cleveland) and Elizabeth Winn (m. George Polly); and two sons, Joseph Winn (m. Rebekah Reed) and Increase Winn (m. Hannah Sawtell). Increase Winn, born 1641, was the first recorded birth in Woburn. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch. This Winn group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21.
Y-DNA Group R. The Pieter Winne (1609-c1693), Flanders to New York, Group is a Belgium-origin surname group. This group is comprised of descendants of Pieter Winne (1609-c1693), born in Ghent, an emigrant from Flanders (Belgium) to Kingston, Ulster County, New York. Pieter Winne married first, Archie Jans van Schaick; and he married second, Tannatje Adams. Pieter Winne settled at Bethlehem, Albany County, New York, where he raised a large family of thirteen children: Pieter Pieterse, Adam, Lavinus, Frans, Alette, Killian, Catalyntje, Tomas, Martin, Eva, Jacob's, Rachel, and Daniel. Many descendants remained in New York, and others migrated to New Jersey or the Great Lakes region. This group has tested positive for the U106 Germanic Branch. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > L151 > U106 > Z2265 > BY41998 > ZP125 > ZP150 > ZP187. The Pieter Winne Group also has matches to Group R1 De Burghgraeve/Burrgraeve/Burchgrave of Belgium at confirmed haplogroup R-M269 > L151 > U106 > Z2265 > BY41998 > ZP125 > ZP150 > ZP187. FTDNA estimates the MRCA of ZP187 was born estimated 1137 CE.
Y-DNA Group SA. The Samuel Gwinn Group is comprised of descendants of Samuel Gwinn (1751-1839), Augusta County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch and M222 Northwest Modal Haplotype, the latter of which is of Irish origin. This group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF49 > M222 > DF105 > S588 > FGC23742 > FGC52024.
Y-DNA Group SC. The Queen Group is comprised of descendants of John Queen (1755-1842), Loudoun County, Virginia. This group has tested positive for the L21 Atlantic-Celtic Branch and M222 Northwest Modal Haplotype, the latter of which is of Irish origin. The Queen group's confirmed haplogroup is R-M269 > P312 > L21 > DF49 > M222 > DF105 > S588 > FGC16740 > BY62083 > BY104994. This group has Quinn & Gwin Y-DNA matches at haplogroup branch R-BY62083.
Winn Surname Project has other groups with lineages which are still being sorted. A large number of our groups have only one member tested. If you have DNA results from another test site, we encourage you to transfer your DNA results to FTDNA Winn Surname Project. If you are a male Winn of any spelling, we encourage you to test with the project.
We are also seeking descendants of the following American Colonial-Era Winn/Wynn families to test with the project:
*John Winn Sr. (c1720-1781) and his son, Joseph Winn, of Dorchester County, South Carolina. In 1754, they relocated to Liberty County, Georgia, where they were among the founding members of Midway Church.
*Richard Winn (b. UNK d. 1748), Caroline County, Virginia. In 1745, Richard Winn acknowledged his deed to his son Benjamin Winn in Caroline County. After Richard Winn's death in 1748, his estate was administered by son Benjamin. Benjamin Winn (c1720-1789) m1. Ann Tavernor and m2. Ann Durrett. Their children included sons Benjamin, Tavernor (m. Ann Samuels), and Jesse Durrett Winn (m. Catherine Johnson); and daughters Drucilla (m1. John Wisdom; m2. Joel Higgins), Rachel (m. Thomas Fortson), Tabitha (m. Durrett Oliver), and Millicent Winn (m. Thomas Coleman).
*John Smallwood Winn (1776-1845), Maryland to Zanesville, Muskingham County, Ohio; m. Ann Jeanette Maver. Their sons were Henry Winn, William Franklin Winn, Albert Mavor Winn and Bushrod Taylor Winn. John's brother, William Smallwood Winn (1789-1849), also migrated from Maryland to Zanesville, Muskingham County, Ohio. William Smallwood Winn's sons were Elisha Winn and Dolphin Winn.
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