Surname Willand - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Willand: What does the surname Willand mean?
The last name Willand comes from a Middle English occupational name derived from the Old French word 'wilen', which means 'to guide.' This term was originally used as a job title for an official guide who was responsible for leading travelers, pilgrims and merchants through unfamiliar territories. It was later adopted as an English surname during the Medieval period, possibly to describe those who acted as guides or even border guards.
Willand is most commonly associated with England and is believed to have first appeared in English records from the 13th century onwards. Over time, the last name has spread throughout the United Kingdom, as well as to countries like Ireland, the United States and Canada.
Today, the last name is fairly common and still serves as an occupational surname in some cases, representing those who work as guides in various capacities. There may also be a few unrelated Willands with the same surname as a result of adoption or surname sharing. There is also some speculation that the Willand surname may have been derived from the German language, albeit in a modified form.
The exact origin and history of the last name Willand is difficult to track down, but it is believed to hold a traditional meaning related to guiding and leading.
Order DNA origin analysisWilland: Where does the name Willand come from?
The surname Willand is still common today, although it is used less commonly than some other surnames. It is most commonly found in the United States of America, where it appears to be a fairly common name. The 2020 United States Census reported that the most popular states with the last name Willand were Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. This corresponds with the most popular states for Germanic and Anglo-Saxon ancestry, which is likely the region from which the surname originates.
It is also a fairly common surname in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom's Office of National Statistics estimated that there were 8,041 people with the surname Willand living in the United Kingdom in 2019, making it the 12th most common last name. It was particularly popular in East Anglia, a region in East England.
Overall, the Willand surname is still a popular name today, although it is not as common as some other surnames. Its origin seems to be in the English and Germanic language countries, as well as in some other countries with English as a native language.
Variations of the surname Willand
The surname Willand is generally of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is thought to have originated from the Olde English pre-seventh century personal name Wiglund, made up of the elements "wigle" and "wund" which mean battle and strife respectively. It is believed the surname Willand is a metform of Wiglund.
Variant spellings of Willand include Wiland, Wileand, Wilond, Willeand, Wylund and Wylond. It may also be spelled Willen or Wiland.
Surnames derived from the Willand spelling include Wiland, Wilind, Willind, Willond, and Wyland. These are predominantly found in England, Ireland and Scotland.
Wilamowski, Wilandt, Wilanowski, Wilentz, Wilants, Wilems, Wilemson, Wilensky, Wileski, and Wilkenson are German-derived variants.
Wylant and Wyland are found in the United States.
Most of these surnames will be found to have their origins in the same root name, Wiglund, and its variants from the pre-seventh century Anglo-Saxon period. However, some of the spelling variants differ slightly in both origin and spelling based on the location and language of use. For example, the German variants will have evolved from the same Olde English origin, however usage of their language and additional letter influences likely resulted in variations on the primary spelling. Similarly, Wyland and Wylant have likely also evolved from the same root name, however with the addition of further letter influences from the Dutch and those found in the United States.
Famous people with the name Willand
- Sara Willand: German actor and comedian.
- John Willand: American actor who has appeared in many television shows such as ER and Judging Amy.
- Patricia Willand: Americansoprano and vocal coach, best known for her roles in musicals including Cats and The Sound of Music.
- Kimberly Willand: Singer-songwriter who has released two albums and has been featured in numerous television and radio programs.
- Bill Willand: Professional ski instructor, mountaineer, and filmmaker who has produced award-winning outdoor adventure films.
- Robert Willand: Actor who has appeared in over 30 films and television shows, including the television series Supergirl.
- Terry Willand: Award-winning Canadian rock singer and multi-instrumentalist.
- Mike Willand: American composer and musician who has written music for numerous television series.
- Steve Willand: Award-winning American voiceover actor who has been featured in numerous video games and animated films.
- Anna Willand: Swedish fashion designer, best known for her development of sustainable fashion designs.