Surname Willies - Meaning and Origin
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Willies: What does the surname Willies mean?
The last name Willies is an English patronymic surname. It is derived from the Old English nickname Will, meaning "desire" or "will". This indicates that people with the Willies surname were probably strong-willed and capable of achieving their goals.
The presence of this surname in early records dates back to the 13th century in Essex, England. It is likely that the first family with this name originated here, and the name has since spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and the United States.
A variety of spellings are present in records, including Willy, Wily, and Willyes. This variation in spelling could indicate that Willies was likely an occupational name, derived from a person's occupation or trade. It is possible that this could have been a variation on the nickname Will, indicating a strong-willed worker.
In modern times, the Willies surname is most commonly found in England, but is also seen in other countries such as Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. This indicates that the name has been present for centuries and is well-established in many areas.
The name Willies is a testament to the strength of its original bearers, and speaks to the power of their wills and their ability to achieve their ambitions. It is a reminder of traditional strength and the importance of setting and achieving goals.
Order DNA origin analysisWillies: Where does the name Willies come from?
The last name Willies is most commonly found around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. In the United States, the last name Willies can be found in all states, with the greatest concentration in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. The last name is also commonly found in the United Kingdom, where it is particularly common in Scotland and Ireland. In Canada, the last name Willies is most commonly found in Ontario, particularly in Toronto.
There is also a significant population of Willies in Australia, especially in the Sydney metropolitan area, while the last name is also found in large numbers in the countries of South Africa and New Zealand. In 2020, more than 1,800 Willies families live in the United States, with an estimated 11,000 individuals sharing the name across the country. It is also estimated that around 2,000 Willies families live in the United Kingdom with an additional 4,000 individuals residing in England and Wales.
The last name Willies is also found in high numbers in the nations of the Caribbean, especially Jamaica where it is prominent among some of the island’s oldest families. Willies is also found in some parts of India and other parts of Asia, including Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. As a whole, the Willies family is made up of individuals who are largely middle-class and primarily of British and Irish heritage.
Variations of the surname Willies
The surname Willies is a patronymic surname derived from the given name William. This surname is found in various forms from English, Scottish, Dutch, French, and German sources. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Willies include Willys, Wills, Wille, Willess, Williss, Wiless, Wiles, Wylis, and Wyliss.
In English, the surname derived from the given name of William or Wille, which is derived from two elements: “wil”, meaning “desire,” and “helm”, meaning “helmet, protection.” The name William itself is a popular Old Germanic name, which is related to the Old Norse names Vilhjálmr and Vil Adjustable, both of which mean “determination” and “will helmet.”
In Scottish, the spelling Willys is derived from the Old French surname Guillaume and is related to the Old Gaelic phrase “Lamh Fort” which means “strong hand.” The surname Wills, Wiless, and Williss are derived from the Old French word Will spelling, which is derived from the root wil. This form of the given name William was common in Scotland during the Middle Ages.
In Dutch, the spelling Wille is derived from the Germanic name Wil hair, which itself is derived from an Old High German word “wil” and is related to the Old Norse names Vilhjálmr and Vil Adjustable. The Dutch spelling of Willys is derived from the Middle Dutch Wila and is related to the Old High German name Willa.
The German spelling of Wiles, Wylis, and Wyliss is derived from a Middle High German nickname Willeis, which means “will helmet.” This surname is related to the Old High German name Willa and the Dutch Wille.
Overall, the surname Willies has varied origins and is found in several surname forms. These variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Willies include Willys, Wills, Wille, Willess, Williss, Wiless, Wiles, Wylis, and Wyliss.
Famous people with the name Willies
- Ruth Rivera-Willies, Colombian dermatologist
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- Mark Willies, American linguist
- Colin Willies, British music producer
- Santiago Willies, Venezuelan artist
- Kyle Willies, Canadian hockey player
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- Brian Willies, American screenwriter
- Lynette Willies, American actress
- Ella Willies, American social media personality
- Clarissa Willies, American comedian
- Marshall Willies, American fashion designer
- Miranda Willies, American gymnast
- Kip Willies, American skateboarder