WILLIS
Willis
Origin and Etymology: Willis is an English surname of Norman origin derived from the medieval masculine first name 'Will', which itself was a diminutive of William. The name William comes from the Old French "Willihelm", with "will" meaning desire and "helm" meaning helmet or protection. The surname Willis has been found in various records dating back to the 11th century in England.
Distribution and Popularity: The surname Willis is most commonly found in England, particularly in counties such as Devon, Kent, and Sussex. The distribution of the surname is also significant in the United States, Australia, and Canada, due to migration patterns over the centuries.
Notable Individuals:
- Willis Carrier (1876–1950): American engineer known for inventing modern air conditioning.
- Bruce Willis (b. 1955): American actor who rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in "Die Hard" and "Pulp Fiction".
- Nancy Willis (b. 1940): British artist known for her abstract paintings inspired by nature.
Coat of Arms: The coat of arms associated with the surname Willis features a shield with a lion rampant, symbolizing courage and strength, and a diagonal band representing honor and virtue.
Legacy: The surname Willis carries a legacy of resilience and creativity. Throughout history, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions to various fields, including science, entertainment, and the arts. Today, the surname continues to be passed down through generations, preserving a connection to the rich tapestry of British history and heritage.
There are approximately 33,104 people named Willis in the UK. That makes it the 235th most common surname in Britain. Around 508 in a million people in Britain are named Willis.
Surname type: Diminutive
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Wales
- Whillas
- Whillis
- Whilly
- Wiilis
- Wilas
- Wiley
- Wili
- Wilie
- Wilins
- Wilis
- Wiliss
- Willas
- Willes
- Willey
- Willi
- Willia
- Willias
- Willice
- Willich
- Willick
- Willie
- Willies
- Willig
- Willim
- Willims
- Willin
- Willins
- Willip
- Willisch
- Willise
- Willisee
- Willism
- Willison
- Williss
- Willit
- Willits
- Willitt
- Willitts
- Willix
- Willlis
- Willos
- Willows
- Wills
- Willy
- Willys
- Wily
- Wilz
- Wollis
- Wylie
- Wylies
- Wylis
- Wyllie
- Wyllis
- Wyllys
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.