Surname Whillance - Meaning and Origin

Whillance: What does the surname Whillance mean?

The last name Whillance is of French origin. It is derived from an old French personal name “Willelme” which is a combination of two Germanic elements, “willa” meaning “desire or will” and “helm” meaning “helmet or protection”. The name is believed to have originally been used to refer to a person with an independent spirit, who was courageous and strong-willed.

The family name Whillance has since been used by several prominent French families over the centuries. In some versions, the name is thought to have been derived from “Willance”, which reflects the same origin story and also indicates a descent from the House of Willance.

The name has also been used in other countries where French influence has been strong, such as in Canada and the United States of America. There are numerous spelling variations, including Whillance, Whillenze, and Whillans.

Today, the name Whillance is associated with strength of character, courage, and independence. It is a strong family name and symbolises a powerful lineage, a proud heritage, and strength of spirit.

Whillance: Where does the name Whillance come from?

The surname Whillance is not especially common today. Though it appears throughout the English-speaking world, it remains one of the less common surnames in Europe and North America. The name is believed to derive from the French phrase 'fils de Wilielme', which translates as 'son of William'. Its origins can be traced back to the medieval period when it was borne by families of the Norman aristocracy in northern France.

In England, it is most strongly associated with Yorkshire and Lancashire, though it has also been found in the Midlands and the East Anglian regions in smaller numbers. In Scotland, the name is most commonly found in the Borders region. In Ireland, it is usually associated with County Clare and its surrounding areas.

In the United States, the name is mostly concentrated in the Midwest. It is also quite common in the northeastern states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. It is particularly frequent in Michigan and Wisconsin, though it has also been found in smaller numbers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

In conclusion, the last name Whillance is still present today, though not commonly so. It carries strong historical associations with France, England and, to a lesser extent, Scotland and Ireland. In the United States, it is most strongly associated with the Midwest and northeastern states.

Variations of the surname Whillance

The surname Whillance is an English family name of Norman French origin. It is spelled variously, such as Wallance, Wallens, Wallen, Wallinge, Walling, Wallens, Wallance, Willance, Willing, Willins, Willin, Willence, Whillance, Willaince, Willans, Whillans, and Whillence.

Two common spelling variations of Whillen are Wallen and Willing. Wallen is derived from the French personal name Vallens, while Willing is derived from the Old English given name Willa, which means “resolute protector”.

Other variations of the Whillance surname include Wallinger, Wallinge, Wallen, Wallance, Willance, Willin, and Willence. The French name Wallinger is derived from the Old French word walingier, meaning “valiant spearman”, while Wallinge comes from the Norman French personal name Wallang. Wallen is a variation of Wallens, which means “defender” in old French. Furthermore, Wallance is a combination of the Norman French words wal and ant, and refers to a person who is brave or powerful.

Likewise, Willance is derived from the Old English name Wilda, which means “wild warrior”, while Willin is derived from the Old English personal name Wilwin, meaning “seasoned warrior of the forest”. Willence is an alteration of Willens, which is an old Norman French given name, and Whillance is derived from the Old French name Whillier, meaning “daring”. Willans and Whillans are also examples of variants of the surname, and Whillence is a combination of the Norman French words wil and ant, and refers to a person who is strong and brave.

Overall, the surname Whillance is a name of Norman French origin with many variations and spellings. Variants of the name include Wallen, Wallance, Willing, Willance, Willin, Willence, Whillance, Willaince, Willans, Whillans, and Whillence.

Famous people with the name Whillance

• Christopher Willeance: actor and producer best known for Hard Boiled, A Better Tomorrow 2, and Mission of Justice.
• Greg Willeance: a Grammy-nominated Australian multi-instrumentalist and producer who has collaborated with the likes of Queen, Robert Plant, Michael Jackson, and Pink Floyd.
• Veronique Willeance: a fashion designer who popularized the wrap dress in the 1970s, earning her a nomination for a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.
• Tim Willeance: a pioneering figure in the development of the modern video game industry who helped bring arcade and home gaming to the masses.
• Anselm Willeance: an award-winning English composer and pianist whose works have been performed at major festivals around the world.
• Eliza Willeance: a renowned British painter famous for her figurative abstract style.
• Georgina Willeance: a prominent British astronomer who is the first woman to be elected president of the Royal Astronomical Society.
• Charles Willeance: an American filmmaker known for his exploration of the world's ecosystems and species, with films such as Bringing Home the Ocean and Ancestors of the Land.
• Diana Willeance: a lauded British singer and songwriter who has toured extensively after finding major success with her first album.

Other surnames

Whillans