Origin of the surname Willison

This interesting surname is of Germanic origin, and is a patronymic (son of Will), or pet form of the personal name William, composed of the Germanic elements "wil" meaning will or desire, and "helm", a helmet or protection. The name was popular with the Normans who introduced it into England at the time of the 1066 Conquest. One Robertus Filius (son of) Willelmi appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086, and the surname was first recorded in the early 14th Century (see below), while Richard Willam was recorded in the 1279 Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire.

The patronymic forms first appeared in the 14th Century; Johannes Willeson and Adam Wylis were recorded in the 1379 Poll Tax Records of Yorkshire. Recordings from London Church Registers include: William Willes, a christening witness at Christchurch, Greyfriars, Newgate, on April 6th 1565, and the marriage of Alexander Willis and Jane Smalwood on October 1st 1598, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. An interesting namebearer, recorded in the "Dictionary of National Biography", was Francis Willis (1718 - 1807), a physician who attended George 111 in his first attack of madness (1788), and who became popular at court. The Coat of Arms most associated with the name is described thus: "Per fess red and silver three lions rampant counterchanged, a border ermine". The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter Wilys, which was dated 1327, in the "Poll Tax Rolls of Staffordshire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Willison. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of willison leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname willison, and in addition to the original locations of willison, we can find out where people with the surname willison can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of willison.

The surname Willison around the world

There is a considerable probability that willison has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where willison is most abundant are the following. The mobility of people carrying the surname willison has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Willison

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named willison are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname willison are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname willison.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of willison could be modified. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname willison or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of willison.

Notable Figures Named Willison

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname willison, even though not all have been documented to our present day. A surname like willison can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname willison, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname willison who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Willison and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname willison, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname willison, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of willison.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of willison, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Willison