Surname Williss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Williss: What does the surname Williss mean?
The surname of Williss is an English name of Norman origin. Primarily found in Northumberland, it is derived from the given name William, the French form of Wilhelm, which is composed of the two Germanic elements 'wil' meaning will or desire, and 'helm' meaning helmet.
Williss as a surname could have been derived from the name of an ancestor who held the nickname of William in some form, such as Willy or Willie. Alternatively, bearer of the name could have been associated with a location such as a village or estate named after William. For example, the place name Willis in Dorset is derived from the Old English personal name ‘Willahelm’.
The Willises of England are reported to have held land in the 11th century and were linked with an area around Oundle. Records of the name date back almost a thousand years;, Wyllyam de Wills was documented in 1198 in the Pipe Rolls of Lancasstershire. By the mid-16th century, some of the bearers of this surname had spread to other counties in England, such as Wiltshire and London, and records show that members of the family were amongst the early emigrants to the American colonies.
The modern day Williss surname is primarily found in England, Canada and the United States, and it still remains a fairly common surname. It continues to be associated with people of nobility, with numerous prominent members of the Williss family contributing to their local community and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisWilliss: Where does the name Williss come from?
The last name Williss is found mainly in the United Kingdom, particularly in the south and east. It is most commonly found in England, especially around England’s south coast, and has spread to countries like Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and France. It is also found in other parts of Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
In England, the most common regions in which you’ll find the name are Norfolk, Kent, and Gloucestershire. The name is most likely a variation of the Old French name Willes. It is believed that this was changed to Williss when the family moved to England.
Williss is also quite a common surname in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, some states that are home to the most Williss families are New York, Texas, and Illinois. Generally, the name is most common in the northeastern states, especially Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
By tracing the origin and location of the Williss family, it can be assumed that they have distant roots in England, but have spread around the world. The name is most prominent throughout the United Kingdom, especially England, but it has spread to many other countries including the United States.
Variations of the surname Williss
The surname Williss is an English patronymic name originating from the given name William. It is found in records in the early 13th century.
Variants of the surname Williss include Willas, Wills, Willes, Willise, Wyles, Wiles, Wyllis, Willis, Willys, Willysse, Wills, Wylles, Willysen, and Welms.
Variations of the surname Williss on foreign language records include Wills in French, Wilisz in Polish, Willes in Dutch, Wilis in Italian, Willise in American, Willinger in German, Willim in Hungarian, Uillilis in Gaelic, Vilys in Lithuanian, Wyllys in Welsh, and O'Fheilim in Gaelic.
Common surnames that can be traced to the Williss name include Willman, Willcox, Wilcoxson, Willson, Wilks, and Wilkey.
In the United States, this surname was first recorded in Pennsylvania during the 1600's. By the year 2000, the highest concentration of this surname was found in the southeastern United States, specifically in Tennessee and South Carolina.
Famous people with the name Williss
- Bruce Willis: a well-known American actor, producer, and singer most famous for his role in the Die Hard film series.
- David Willis: an American voice actor and singer who is best known as the voice of Buttercup in The Powerpuff Girls.
- Dwayne Johnson-Cochran: an American actor, director, and producer who has appeared in films like S.W.A.T., Blue Streak, and The Dark Knight Rises.
- Charles Williss: British boxing champion from 1926 to 1930.
- Samuel Bisbee Williss: an early American photographer best known for his studio portraits.
- Bob Williss: American equestrian and member of the U.S. Show Jumping Team that won a gold medal at the Olympics.
- Luke Williss: American football player who was a part of the Super Bowl XXXVI winning New England Patriots team.
- Freddie Williss: an American actor who was best known for his leading role in the television series The Wire.
- Chris Williss: a British actor, writer, podcaster, and presenter best known for his collaboration with the comedy troupe The Boosh.
- Rhiannon Williss: an Australian actress, singer, and songwriter who is best known for her role in the 2020 film Love, Guaranteed.