Surname Willett - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Unearthing Ancestry with iGENEA: The Transformation of Self-Understanding
Embarking on a soul-searching journey with iGENEA, I discovered surprising facts about my ancestors, the Willetts, gained surprising insights about their past and how it resonates with who I am today. The journey has significantly transformed my self-understanding.
I. Willett
read moreWillett: What does the surname Willett mean?
The last name Willett is of English origin. It was derived from either the Old English personal name Wilgot (or Wilgott), composed of the elements wil ‘will’ or ‘desire’, plus god, god ‘good’, or from a place name derived from the same elements. In some cases the name may have been a transformation of the Germanic personal name Willigar, composed of the elements willo ‘will’ or ‘desire’, plusgeri ‘spear’. The first recorded use of the name Willett was in 1273, in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire.
The surname Willett is mostly found in the British Isles. It is common throughout England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, the name is found mainly around the midlands, particularly around the Warwickshire-Coventry area, as well as in Northamptonshire and Linconshire. In Ireland, the name is found mainly in County Cork.
Willett is an occupational surname, originally belonging to someone who was a ‘willinger’, a maker of willetts (also spelled willets). Willets were a type of basket, made from long thin strips of willow. The name is also associated with sweet-making – the term willeter was used for someone who made sweets, and it’s possible that the name was taken on by someone from that trade.
A coat-of-arms has been granted to several branches of the Willett family. The Shield features three gold stripes on a red background, with three black birds perched on a gyronny of gold and red. The Crest is a silver swan rising, with a necklace composed of three gilt collars.
Order DNA origin analysisWillett: Where does the name Willett come from?
The last name Willett is most common today in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. According to surname distribution data collected by Forebears, Willett is the 5415th most common surname in the world, the 1168th most common surname in the United Kingdom, and the 132nd most common surname in England.
The Willett surname has also been found throughout the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were just over 10,000 people with the last name Willett living in the U.S. in 2020. The states with the highest concentrations of Willetts are Virginia, Tennessee, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
Other countries where the Willett surname can be found include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. In Australia, it is the 5010th most common surname. In Canada, it is the 970th most common surname. In New Zealand, it is the 476th most common surname. In Ireland, it is the 4,634th most common surname, and in South Africa, it is the 11,854th most common surname.
The origin of the Willett surname is uncertain. However, one theory suggests that it may have been derived from the Old English personal name "Willit", a diminutive form of "Will".
Variations of the surname Willett
The surname Willett is of French origin and is derived from the first name ‘Willie’, which was an old form of William. Variants, spellings, and surnames derived from Willett include Willet, Willets, Willette, Witliet, Wilet, Willetts, Wellet, Willit, Wilette, Willit, Wiliet, Willas, Willert, Willeta, Gilmore, and Gilmour.
The earliest traceable appearance of Willett is in England in the 12th century. Since then, its popularity has spread throughout Europe. The name Willett appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 in England, which is a statistical survey of the land owned by William the Conqueror. In the 14th century, a Willett family appeared in Germany.
The surname is found chiefly in England, France, and Germany. It is also found in the United States, having been taken there by 17th century immigrants. In the United States, Willetts are most common in Texas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. In the 19th century, the Willett surname had also spread to Canada.
The patronymic form of Willett is Willettson. In Scotland, the spelling Wilett has been used at various times. In France, the spellings Willette, Willa and Willet were common. In Germany, some variants have been Wilet, Willeta, Willert and Willets.
Famous people with the name Willett
- Stephen Willett: American professional skateboarder
- Carleen Willett: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
- John Willett: British actor, theatre director and producer
- William Willett: British builder and inventor credited with inventing daylight saving time
- John Willett: American actor and director
- Rich Willett: Retired American basketball player
- Zach Willett: American film producer
- John Willett: Australian cricket historian and statistician
- Stephen Willett: American investor, author, and entrepreneur
- David Willett: Canadian Motocross racer
- Les Willett: English football player
- Jason Willett: American musician, visual artist and writer
- Ursula Willett: British classical saxophonist
- Steve Willett: American Lawyer and politician
- Burton Willett: American football player
- Steven Willett: American television actor
- James Willett: American Olympic shooter
- Clarence Willett: American football player
- Edward Willett: Canadian science fiction and fantasy author
- John Willett: American academic and businessman