Surname Willshire - Meaning and Origin
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Willshire: What does the surname Willshire mean?
The last name Willshire is of English origin, with a few alternative spellings. It is derived from the Old English word ‘wilig’, which means 'stream'. As such, the surname suggests an ancestral link to someone who once lived near a stream.
The surname also appears as ‘Willesher’, which is another variation of the Old English ‘wilig’. In this case, the name would have been given to someone who lived near a willow tree, which was often found next to streams.
In modern times, people who bear the Willshire surname are likely to have ancestors who hailed from rural Berkshire and/or Rutland in England. Many Willshires still live in these areas today.
The Willshire surname is associated with loyalty and security. The bearers of this name to have been known to be fiercely loyal to those close to them and also to be protective of their families.
Overall, the Willshire surname is a strong, distinguished surname with a rich history of loyalty and protection. It has endured over the centuries, as have the values that its people embrace.
Order DNA origin analysisWillshire: Where does the name Willshire come from?
The last name Willshire is most commonly found in the United States of America. It is currently most predominantly located in the Midwestern portion of the country, particularly in states such as Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois. The surname Willshire is recorded most frequently in the Midwest. However, that does does not mean that it is exclusive to just the Midwest. It is also found in other states across the country, including California, Nevada, and Maine.
The earliest recorded instance of the Willshire surname can be traced back to the early 18th century and originates from British immigrants who settled in the United States around the same time. The surname is predominantly of English origin and derives from a location name near where the first immigrants originated. It is likely that the surname's origin and spread is a sign of families moving around and making new homes in different parts of America as the nation expanded.
The vast majority of Willshire families today reside in the United States, though the name can also be traced back to Germany, Canada, Australia, and even Chile. Generally speaking, the last name Willshire has a strong presence across the United States.
Variations of the surname Willshire
Willshire is an English locational surname of medieval origin, derived from the places in England called Willesden and Wilshamstead. Both places are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Willesdene’ and ‘Wilsamestade’, and are located in two different parts of the country—Wilshamstead in Bedfordshire and Willesden in Middlesex.
The surname Willshire has a range of common variants and spellings, including Wilshire, Wilshere, Wilsher, Wilshir, Wilsher, Wilshyre, Wilcher, Willsher, Wilshery, Wilcherry and Wilsherey.
Other related surnames of the same origin include Willers, Willerton, Willmott, Willamot, Willmot and Wilmett. All of these surnames are derived from the same early English locations.
Wilshire is also an Americanized spelling of the original German surname Wilzschir, which is a variant of the Germanic surname Wülscher. Wilscher is a diminutive of the German forename Wulf, meaning ‘wolf’. This surname was later anglicized to Wilshire.
In summary, the surname Willshire has a range of variants, spellings and related surnames derived from early English locations or from its original Germanic source. The surnames Wilzschir, Willers, Willerton, Willmott, Willamot, Willmot and Wilmett are all linked to Willshire and all trace back to the same British or Germanic origin.
Famous people with the name Willshire
- Hilary Willshire: Hilary Willshire is a British multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter known for her work with the post-rock bands Portishead and Morcheeba.
- Willy Willshire: Willy Willshire is an American basketball player and executive currently serving as the general manager of the Arizona Suns in the NBA G League.
- Eliot Willshire: Eliot Willshire is an English movie and television actor. He is best known for playing the role of Hermann in the BBC TV series Peaky Blinders and Eddie in Netflix's Informer.
- Conor Willshire: Conor Willshire is an Irish former professional footballer. He represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level before retiring from the game in 2019.
- Thomas Willshire: Thomas Willshire is a British record producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his work with Adele, Radiohead, and Mumford & Sons.
- David Willshire: David Willshire is a British actor and voice-over artist. He is best known for his roles in television series such as The Alienist and The Crown.
- Adam Willshire: Adam Willshire is a British flat-track roller racing champion and a member of Team Great Britain. He is known for having competed in the Roller Derby World Cup in 2017 and 2018.
- Bruce Willshire: Bruce Willshire is a Canadian artist known for his large-scale welding sculptures inspired by industrial objects. He has exhibited his work in galleries, festivals, and public spaces in Canada and the UK.