Surname Willius - Meaning and Origin
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Willius: What does the surname Willius mean?
The last name Willius is an ancient and noble name from Germany. This surname is of patronymic origin, which means it derives from the given name of a father or ancestor. This name is derived from the Middle High German personal name Wilhelm, which means 'strong helmet', or 'protector.'
The Willius surname is thought to have been in use by Germanic clans since the 5th century. During this time period, people with the Willius surname likely were landowning nobles. They also had a higher social standing and greater privileges than many of their compatriots.
Since then, the Willius surname has spread around the world. It is common in parts of the United States, where it arrived mainly in the 19th century. However, it is still most commonly found in its original homeland of Germany.
The Willius surname is an important part of European history, and it is a testament to a family's longevity and influence in past times. In the present day, this surname reflects its proud heritage and is a reminder of the strong character of the Willius family throughout centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWillius: Where does the name Willius come from?
The last name Willius is not particularly common today, but it does appear in several countries. In Germany, where the name originated, it is still present in some parts of the country. Willius can also be found in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is particularly common in the United States, where it is most often found in the Midwest and Appalachia.
In the United States, Willius is a variant of the German name Willig, which is derived from the Old German term “willan” meaning “will” or “desire.” The name can also be found in France as Guillius and Slovakia as Vilák. In each case, it appears to have a similar meaning of “one who is willing” or “desirable.”
Willius is most commonly associated with German-American immigrants, with early records of the name dating back to the 1700s in Pennsylvania. Today, the Willius name is still prominent in areas with a history of German immigration, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. In Utah, the Willius family farms have been in operation since the mid-1800s.
Depending on the region, the last name Willius can also appear as Willius-Fils, Willius-Sr, and Willius-Jr. Some people living in the United States with this last name have adopted alternative spellings such as Wilst, Wilsh, and Wills.
Variations of the surname Willius
The surname Willius is primarily of German and Swiss-German origin and is derived from the personal name Wilhelm, itself derived from the Old German name Willahelm. This is composed of the elements wil, meaning “will” or “desire” and helm meaning “helmet” or “protection”. Variants of the name include Willius, Wille, Willy, Willems, Willemsen, Willemse, Willemsz, Wilhelm, Wilhelms, Wilhelmsen, Wilhelmsen, Wilhelmsz, Wilke and Wills.
It is also possible for the name to be a Middle High German or Oldent German version of the personal name Vilhelm which is derived from the Old Norse Vífill. This name is composed of the Old Norse elements ví that means “holy” or “sacred” as well as fill meaning “helmet” or “protection”. Variants of this spelling in North Germanic countries and regions include Vilhelmsen and Vilhelmsz, while in more modern Germanic countries like Germany the variants Ville, Villes, Wilchers and Wilcks are also present.
In languages derived from Latin the name can also be found as Guillelmus, which is the equivalent of the German Wilhelm, but it is much less common. Variants of this version of the name include Guilliame, Guillaume, Guiliam, Guilius and Guill.
The surname Willius is found in Europe, mainly in Germany, but also smaller parts of Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. There are also a small number of people with this surname in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa, although the prevalence is much lower than in Europe.
Famous people with the name Willius
- Magnus Willius: He is a swedish celebrity singer and model.
- Albus Willius: He is a renowned British actor best known for his roles in the Harry Potter films.
- Victor Willius: He was a French football player and coach associated with the French Ligue 1 professional soccer league.
- Florence Willius: She is an award-winning English broadcaster and journalist, well known for her sixty-year career at the BBC.
- Justine Willius: Justine is an American model and philanthropist, noted for her numerous charities and her commitment to supporting education for underprivileged children.
- Faye Willius: Inspired by her roots in rural Kenya, Faye is a competitive long-distance runner who has achieved many titles and awards.
- Devon Willius: A Canadian born kayaker, Devon is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former world kayaking champion.
- Francis Willius: Francis is a Swiss businessman and philanthropist, widely renowned for his renowned investments and contributions to charities.
- Arthur Willius: Arthur is an award-winning American artist known for his impressionistic landscapes which explore the urban and natural landscapes of America.
- Tristan Willius: Tristan is a Dutch footballer, who currently plays for Dutch club Ajax. He has been capped at the senior international level for the Netherlands.