A new class of ricinoleic acid-derived branched surfactant with a Y-shaped structure (ethoxylated monohydroxy stearic acid methyl ester, 12-HMEEn) was synthesized and characterized by introducing a polyoxyethylene head group in the hydroxyl position inside the molecule. The physicochemical properties and surface activities of 12-HMEEn with different degrees of ethoxylation at various concentrations were studied. The typical Y-shaped structure of the molecule facilitates its adsorption at the interface, which provides an excellent surface activity and affects its surfactant properties significantly. The dynamic contact angle, wettability, foaming properties, and compatibility tests of 12-HMEEn showed that it has good wetting performance, low foaming and fast defoaming properties, and good compatibility in formulation applications, indicating that the surfactant has potential application in industrial cleaning.