The English surname Winchester is an habitational name from the city in Hampshire, so named from the addition of the Old English term ceaster meaning “Roman fort or walled city,” to the Romano-British name Venta, meaning “ smiling.” The name is first recorded in 1086 when Odo de Wincestre is registered in the “Domesday Book of Hampshire.” Saer de Quincy, first Earl of Winchester died in 1210. William Paulet was first Marquis of Winchester, circa 1485. John Winchester (died 1460) was bishop of Moray and chaplain to James 1 of Scotland. Oliver Winchester (1810 - 1880) was the owner of the arms company which produced the "Winchester Rifle", and was a descendant of John Winchester, who settled in America before 1637.