Surname Willour - Meaning and Origin
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Willour: What does the surname Willour mean?
The last name Willour is of English origin, likely derived from the Middle English personal name Willewurthe, which was a compound of the elements will, meaning “will” or “desire”, and wurthe, meaning “worthy” or “valuable”. Over time, this name was altered to fit different dialects, leading to a variety of spellings, including Willour. The name is thought to have been used as a nickname for a wise, thoughtful, or even dutiful person, or perhaps for someone who was particularly brave or daring.
The surname Willour may also be related to the old Germanic personal name Willuwort, composed of the same elements plus the Old English word “wort”, meaning “root” or “word”. This name was likely used as an additional sign of wisdom or intelligence.
Today, the surname Willour is most commonly found in England, but also in the United States and other parts of the world. It is fairly rare, suggesting it has not been used very widely. Regardless of its origin, the name is a reminder that our ancestors valued wisdom, thoughtfulness, and bravery, and that these values still hold meaning today.
Order DNA origin analysisWillour: Where does the name Willour come from?
The last name Willour is fairly common throughout North America and Europe. In North America, it is most prevalent in the United States, where the frequency of the surname is highest in Texas, followed by Missouri and Illinois. In Canada, it is primarily found in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is also found throughout Western Europe, with larger concentrations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In England, it is primarily concentrated in the East Midlands region. Additionally, it is found in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland, and Hungary.
In the United States, the surname Willour originated in the United Kingdom, where individuals bearing the name were mainly concentrated in the East Midlands region. The first recorded spelling of the name was Lon Willour, which was dated 1221, in the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire. The first recorded instance of the name being used in North America was in 1652, when William Willour arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from England.
The surname was also used for various noble families throughout Europe, particularly in France. The oldest recorded instance of the surname Willour was from the 1840s, when the Countess Louise-Gabrielle Willour donated funds for the building of the church of Saint-Martin in Saint-Privat-du-Tarn, France.
In recent years, the surname Willour has continued to be a common one in North America and Western Europe. A search of online genealogy databases reveals that there are many individuals with the surname Willour living in these regions.
Variations of the surname Willour
The surname Willour originates from England and is derived from the Old French word “Willour”, which in Middle English means “will”, or “desire”. Willour is a patronymic surname meaning “son of Willour”.
Variants of the surname Willour include Willoure, Willour, Wyloure, Wylour, Willours, Wylours, and Willer. Other spellings include Wiler, Willir, Willer, Wylir, Wilere and Wylir.
Variants of the surname Willour in other countries include the German Willauer, the French Wilouer, the Italian Willorer, and the Spanish Willor.
Surnames derived from Willour include Willard, Willer, Wilmot, Wilmer, Willmott, Wilcox, Wilcockson, and Wilks. The surname Willour may also have been changed to other surnames during the 19th century, due to varying spellings of the surname at that time.
Willour is a relatively uncommon surname, however, those who do bear it, share a common sense of pride in their ancestral roots.
Famous people with the name Willour
- Juliette Willour: Ballet dancer and actress
- Julia Willour: Fashion designer and writer
- Alexis Willour: Former East Coast professional skateboarder
- Tom Willour: Singer-songwriter and record producer
- May Willour: American novelist and poet
- Scott Willour: Professional golfer
- Corey Willour: Professional basketball player
- Gail Willour: Executive Producer of Games at Microsoft
- John William Willour: Former Secretary of the United States Navy
- Forrest Willour: Activist and author