Surname Willson - Meaning and Origin
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Unearthing Ancestral Roots: A Journey Through Willson Surname's Genetic Tapestry Guided by iGENEA DNA Test Results
My recent iGENEA DNA test has offered fascinating scientific insights into my family's lineage, revealing a rich heritage that spans continents and millennia. The Willson surname holds traces of genetics from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, illustrating a complex tapestry of ancestry that has evolved over countless generations. This vibrant mix of genetic markers paints a compelling historical narrative of migration, adaptation and survival within my family tree.
P. Willson
read moreWillson: What does the surname Willson mean?
The surname Willson often has one of two possible origins. The first is an English name derived from a location; the prefix “Will” suggests a place named with the Old English personal name “Willa”, which was composed of elements meaning “will” and “helmet”. Alternatively, “Willson” could have been an occupational name for a maker of carts or wagons—literally, “Will’s son”.
The surname is well documented in records of Britain from medieval times. In England, examples of early recordings include John Willson of Yorkshire in 1524 and Richard Wilison of Devon in 1570. Other early examples include Thomas Wilsone, listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379, and William Willson of Staffordshire in 1475.
In Scotland, the name Willson was first found in Lanarkshire where the first record of the name appears to be in 1294, when a Robert Wilisone is listed as residing at Alpachelaw in the barony of Neidpath, Peeblesshire.
It is common to find variant spellings of the surname Willson in records of the past, since few people could read or write and clerks would often record the name as it sounded. Some forms of the name include Wilsone, Wyllson, Willsone, Wylson, and Wylsone. The family is believed to have had royal ancestry, and the name can be found on rolls of Battle Abbey. The Willson family crest contains a lion rampant reguardant and the motto “Vincit Veritas”, Latin for "Truth Conquers".
Order DNA origin analysisWillson: Where does the name Willson come from?
The last name Willson is most commonly seen in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries. It is believed that the name originated in England, where it was somewhat common up until the year 800. From there, it spread to other areas and was anglicized over time.
In the United States, it is most commonly found in the states with larger populations, especially in states that are in the East Coast or Midwest. Some of the largest concentrations of the name are found in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan, and Illinois. Many people with the last name Willson can also be found in smaller numbers in other US states.
In Canada, the name is especially common in the province of Quebec, where many English-speaking settlers immigrated in the late 18th century. It is also common in New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, as well as in Ontario and British Columbia.
The last name Willson can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, and a few other countries. It is most commonly seen in areas that have large populations of English-speaking people, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Wellington.
It can also be found to some extent in South America, particularly in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Variations of the surname Willson
The surname Willson is of English and Scottish origin. It is derived from two French surnames, which were altered after being brought to England by French settlers. The variants and spellings for the surname Willson include Wilson, Willson, Wilsen, Wilsson, Willsonn, Willison, Wilmason, Wilmison, Wilbeton, Willbeton, Willsen, Wilcockson, Willcokson, Wilkenson, Wilcobson, Williamson, and Wilkensen.
The Wilson surname originates from two Old French names, Willim and Wilelm. Willim evolved to form Willoin, and Wilelm eventually became Willelm. When these surnames were brought to England by French settlers, the spelling was altered to create Wilson. Similarly, Willelm became Willsen in Scotland.
The various spelling variants of Willson can be attributed to the many dialects spoken in England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, as well as the lack of standardized spelling during this period. Variants of the surname were also created when the same name was translated into different languages for government or religious records.
Willson is a surname with several spelling variations and is quite common in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Willson
- Robert Wilson: American theater director, playwright, and performance artist
- Owen Wilson: American actor, writer, and producer
- Luke Wilson: American actor
- Vicki Wilson: Australian netballer
- Brian Wilson: American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Mandy Moore: American singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion designer
- Tom Wilson: Canadian actor, comedian, and writer
- Charlie Wilson: American singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Woodrow Wilson: 28th President of the United States
- Demi Lovato: American singer, songwriter, and actress