Willings

Willings is a surname of English origin, believed to have originated from the town of Willingham in Cambridgeshire. The name is classified as a locational surname, indicating that the original bearers of the name hailed from a place named Willingham.

Etymology and Origins

The surname Willings is derived from the Old English personal name "Willing" which means 'the son of Will'. This is supplemented by the suffix "-ings" to denote lineage or association with a particular place, hence forming the surname "Willings".

Distribution

The surname Willings is relatively rare and is primarily found in the United Kingdom. Historical records indicate concentrations of individuals with the surname in regions such as Cambridgeshire, Devon, and Norfolk.

Notable Individuals

  • John Willings (1801-1875): A renowned botanist known for his contributions to the study of indigenous plant species in England.
  • Alice Willings (b. 1985): A contemporary artist known for her abstract compositions that explore themes of identity and memory.

References

  • The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Patrick Hanks. Oxford University Press, 2016.
  • Ancestry.com - Willings Surname Origin and Distribution.

There are approximately 124 people named Willings in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Willings.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Ian
  • Leslie
  • Mark

Female

Similar and related surnames

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

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