WILL

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Will

The surname Will, derived from the medieval given name "William", is of Old French and Old Germanic origin. The name William itself is composed of the elements "wil", meaning "will" or "desire", and "helm", meaning "helmet" or "protection".

The first recorded instance of the surname Will dates back to the early 13th century in England. Over the centuries, the surname has evolved and spread across various regions in the British Isles and beyond.

Individuals bearing the surname Will have contributed to various aspects of British society, from literature and arts to science and politics. Notable bearers of the surname include renowned playwright and poet William Shakespeare, physicist William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), and politician William Ewart Gladstone.

Today, the surname Will continues to be prominent in Britain and other English-speaking countries, reflecting a rich historical legacy and diverse contemporary presence.

There are approximately 2,031 people named Will in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,163rd most common surname in Britain. Around 31 in a million people in Britain are named Will.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Alexander
Andrew
David
George
James
John
Michael
Peter
Robert
William

Female

Angela
Ann
Carol
Elizabeth
Jane
Jennifer
Julie
Margaret
Mary
Nicola
Sarah
Shelley
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.