Surname Willus - Meaning and Origin
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Willus: What does the surname Willus mean?
The last name Willus is of Germanic origin, originating as a diminutive form of the the Germanic given name Willahelm. The name Willus is derived from the German words will, which means “protection” or “bold”, and helm, which means “helmet” or “protection”. Together, these words form the name Willus and denote a meaning of “one who wears the helmet of protection”.
The surname willus spread across Europe during the Middle Ages, as families migrated and used the name as their own. Many bearers of the last name Willus have traces in Germanic culture, and likely originate from Germany; more specifically, from the cities of Homburg and Oberursel in the German state of Hesse.
The Willus surname is relatively uncommon. It has been found in documents as early as 1348 in Hesse, where there is evidence that a family of Willus lived in the city of Homburg. However, the origin of the surname remains somewhat unclear; there have been no records of how or why the name came into use.
The name is still a part of the German cultural landscape and is also found in several other nations in Europe, as well as in the United States. It is thought to be most commonly found in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWillus: Where does the name Willus come from?
The last name Willus is not extremely common, but can be found in a few countries throughout the world. Willus is a surname which originated in Germany, where records of the name first appeared in the 13th century. Today, Willus remains a common surname in Germany, where it can most commonly be found in the central and southern states.
In addition to being common in Germany, Willus is also found in Austria and in the Czech Republic. As with Germany, it is most commonly encountered in southern and central regions.
In the United States, Willus can be found in a few states, though it is not as widespread as in Europe. Records of Willus can be found in California, Nebraska, Texas, Wyoming, and Iowa. It is most common in California and Nebraska, though other states have seen an increase in Willus family members in recent years.
It is also possible to find Willus throughout southern England, with a few families reported in Wales and northern Ireland.
In short, the last name Willus can be found throughout Europe and in a few parts of the United States. While not widespread, it is still a familiar name in some regions.
Variations of the surname Willus
The surname Willus is a variation of the surname Willits, which can be further divided into two primary variants: Willets and Willetts.
The Willets variant spelling of the surname Willits is believed to have originated in the English-speaking world. This variant first appears to have been used in Devon in the early 1500’s. Spelling variations of this name include Willet, Willett, Willette, Willetts, and Willits.
Meanwhile, the Willetts variant spelling of the surname Willits is primary associated with the Cornish branches of the family. This variant has variated since the early 1500’s, with spelling variations including Willet, Willett, Willette, Willits, Willetts, and Willus.
There is also a French variant of the name Willits, with members of the family originating in that region of the world primarily using the spelling of Willaume. Variations of this surname include Wilaume, Willarme, Willarmey, Willarmeau, Willaumeau, Willaumen and Willus.
In addition to these variants, there are a host of other variations and spelling of the surname Willits, including Willasse, Willass, Wills, Willmot, Willmott, Wyllettes, Wyllot and more.
It appears that the surname in its various versions is still in use throughout the world today. A quick internet search will reveal several families using them in a variety of countries.
As can be seen, the surname Willus is just one variation of the important and far-reaching surname Willits. With its multiple variants, spellings and surnames, no matter the version, this particular surname offers a wealth of history.
Famous people with the name Willus
- Eva Willus: a Danish historian and Professor Emeritus of Historical Anthropology at the University of Copenhagen.
- Wayne Willus: an American professional baseball player who pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Jeanmarie Willus: an American figure skater who was national silver medalist in Juvenile dance in 1990 and four-time world champion in Freestyle dance.
- Christian Willus: a German actor best-known for appearing in the 2013 film, The Dark Valley.
- John Willus: an American professional golfer who won the Senior Professional Golf Tour in 2014.
- Norbert Willus: a German professor, classical scholar, and writer who served as the Rector of the University of Bonn from 2004 to 2006.
- Cecil Willus: an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins from 1913 to 1917.
- Edwin Willus: an American physicist who was notable for his extensive research in acoustics and optics.
- Ellen Willus: a Norwegian author, journalist, and historian specializing in politics and gender equality.
- Ruediger Willus: a German biophysicist and professor at the University of Bremen.