Surname Willetts - Meaning and Origin

Willetts: What does the surname Willetts mean?

The last name Willetts is of English origin and is most likely a topographic name referring to someone who lived near a willet, which is an old term for a vegetation-covered parcel of land found near a small stream or brook. The name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘willend’, which means to willow, and ‘hoh’, meaning a hollow or valley. This name is most commonly found in the county of Lincolnshire.

The name is also considered to be a habitation name, given to someone who resided near a place with an ignoble or unique name such as a farm, cottage or other building, and the name Willetts was adopted as a form of identification.

Because the name Willetts is quite uncommon, it is likely that all bearers of this surname originate from a small group of related families. Historically, many Willetts were farmers, laborers, fishermen and merchants. For some, the name denotes an association with the Freedom of the city of Lincoln, and other privileges; noting that the name appeared on land titles.

The name is now found in many countries around the world, especially in places which had strong ties to Britain during the colonial period. Today, anyone with the last name Willetts can trace their roots back to the area from where the first bearers of this name originated.

Willetts: Where does the name Willetts come from?

The surname Willetts has a long history that dates back to medieval England. The name is believed to originate from the Old English words "wille," meaning "willow," and "yt," meaning "enclosure," and is said to refer to a family living in a house surrounded by willow trees. Today, Willetts is a relatively uncommon surname, but it can be found in various parts of the English-speaking world. For instance, in the United States, Willetts is recorded in the 1880 U.S. Census in large numbers in the states of Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and New York. Willetts can also be found in counties throughout England, particularly in Kent and Yorkshire. In Australia, the surname is present in New South Wales, as well as in the capital of Canberra. There are also records of the name Willetts in Canada, New Zealand, and islands around the Bahamas. In the UK, Willetts is most common in the cities of Hull and Sheffield.

Particularly in the UK, the surname has been subject to several spelling variations over centuries, making it difficult to determine its exact occurrence in each region. As such, Willetts is a widespread surname and has been adopted by many families who have since spread across the English-speaking world. It is not known if all of these families are related, but the name remains a part of their shared heritage.

Variations of the surname Willetts

The surname Willetts is an English name derived from the Old English name Wellet or Willet, meaning little or spring. Variants of Willetts include Willets, Wyllets, Wylett, and Wylet. Spellings of Willetts include Willetts, Willets, Wilett, Wylett, Wilitta, Wiletes, Wiletts, Willit, and Willetson. Surnames which stem from Willetts include Willet, Wylie, Wills, Willits, Willoughby, Willette, and Willmott.

Willet is a variation of Willetts believed to have originated in Northamptonshire, England. This spelling reflects the original Anglo-Saxon patronymic form of Willetts, which is an occupational name for someone who was a bird catcher or wildfowler. Wylie is a Scottish variation of Willetts and Wills was a formerly common spelling of this surname in modern day West Sussex, England.

Historically, Willetts has been primarily found in the Southern, Southwestern, and Eastern regions of England. Records of Willetts with variant spellings such as Willets, Wilett, and Wylet date back to the 13th century in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Devon.

Willits is a variation of Willetts which is common in East and Southeast England, and was notably established in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in the 17th century. Willette is a variant of Willetts which was established in Yorkshire, England in the late 17th century, and is still found primarily in the United States.

Willoughby is an English surname believed to have stemmed from Willetts. It is thought to have been taken on by a branch of the Willetts family living in the village of Willoughby in Warwickshire, England sometime in the late 13th century. Willetson is a spelling found mainly in the 19th century in Cornwall and Devon, England.

Overall, the surname Willetts is commonly found in England and the United States, with a variety of variants and spellings. A number of other surnames believed to be derived from Willetts, such as Willits and Willoughby, are still prominent today.

Famous people with the name Willetts

• Chris Willetts: Chris Willetts is a British Conservative politician who is the Member of Parliament for Fareham.
• Bill Willetts: Bill Willetts is a British art photographer and creative thinker, who has been producing artworks for nearly 35 years.
• Hunter Willetts: Hunter Willetts is a professional American football player in the National Football League.
• David Willetts: David Willetts is a British Conservative Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Havant from 1992 to 2015.
• Craig Willetts: Craig Willetts is an English comedian, actor and director. He is best known for his directorial works in various British sitcoms such as The Office and Extras.
• Eden Willetts: Eden Willetts is an English actress, best known for her roles in Ackley Bridge, Cyberbully and Loving Vincent.
• Emily Willetts: Emily Willetts is a British psychotherapist and relationship counselor.
• John Willetts: John Willetts was an American politician who served in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate from 1886 to 1912.
• Robert Willetts: Robert Willetts is an American historian and author of several books on the subject of World War II.
• Pete Willetts: Pete Willetts is a British author and journalist, best known for his book 'The Best and the Brightest: How the Elite are Taking Over the United Kingdom'.

Other surnames

WilletWillettWillette