Surname Willys - Meaning and Origin

Willys: What does the surname Willys mean?

The last name Willys is of German origin and is believed to come from the given name Willekin, which is a contraction of the Old German name Wilhelm, meaning “determined protector”. It’s believed that the name later evolved into Willy, and then into its current form of Willys. The name is typically associated with those from Schleswig-Holstein, a state in northern Germany, where the surname is most common.

Willys families are found primarily in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, with significant communities in Scandinavia, France, England, and Australia. The first mentions of the name in records date back to the early 1600s in a region of Germany near the border with Denmark.

As for its meaning, the name Willys is thought to symbolize strength, perseverance, and courage. It’s likely that those who’ve kept this surname are honorable people who have held true to the value of their distinguished name. That said, the character embodied by the name Willys hasn’t strayed very far from its origin: a determined protector stemming from a time of war and turmoil.

Willys: Where does the name Willys come from?

The last name Willys is most common today in the United States. Although it is believed to have originated in Germany, records show that it immigrated with other families over the Atlantic to the United States. This suggests that its primary American presence is mainly among those of German descent who settled in the 19th century and their descendants.

According to the 2020 United States Census, the states with the largest population of Willys are Minnesota, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The highest concentration of Willys population in the United States is said to be within the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. In the 2020 census, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul had the largest population of Willys population, followed by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas. Pennsylvania also has a substantial presence of Willys population, being the eighth-largest state for Willys population.

The Willys last name is fairly rare in the United Kingdom, according to DNA records, having a presence in only a few counties such as Lancashire, Cumberland, and Sussex. Today, the Willys name is still present in Germany, though it’s less common than other German surnames in the region. In Switzerland, the Willys surname is also among the most common German surnames.

Overall, the last name Willys is most common in the United States, primarily within the states of Minnesota, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Family records suggest that it has been present in the United States since at least the 19th century and tracing its heritage will give you a better idea of where the Willys dispersal actually started.

Variations of the surname Willys

Willys is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin and refers to "son of William". Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Willys include Willems, Williams, Willamson, Williar, Willimon, Williss, Willix, Willman, and Wilss.

The spelling Willems, used in Dutch-speaking countries, is a patronymic form of the name William, derived from the Germanic name 'Wilhelm', which is composed of the elements 'wil', meaning 'desire', and 'helm', meaning 'helmet'.

The Welsh form of the name, Williams, is derived from 'gwili', meaning 'resolute'. Williams is also a patronymic form using the name William as its basis.

In Scotland, 'Williamson' is the most popular form of the name, probably derived from a spelling error during the Middle Ages. In Ireland, the name Willar is believed to have evolved from the original Anglo-Saxon name of William. It is most commonly found in the Irish province of Leinster, in counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny.

The name Willimon is a combination of the French 'will', meaning 'will', and 'Mont', meaning 'hill'. This name is found mainly in Germany, and in former French-speaking territories. Williss is an Anglo-Norman name, likely derived from the medieval Norman de Wille.

The spelling Willix is also Anglo-Norman in origin, derived from the name Willey, or from the Old English 'well-wig', meaning 'brave fighter'. Willman is a German spelling, meaning 'strong-willed man', and can also be found in Dutch- and Scandinavian- speaking countries. Wilss is a Dutch variant of the name, derived from the Germanic Wilhelm, meaning 'desiring helmet'.

Famous people with the name Willys

• Willemijntje "Willie" Adriaantje Willys, Dutch politician
• John North Willys, American automobile and tractor industrialist
• Kjell Willy Kjellin, former Swedish footballer
• Gordon Willys, American football player
• John Willys, former owner of the New York Giants baseball team
• Svante Willys, Swedish industrialist
• Roger Willys, former President of Willys-Overland Motors
• Tomica Willys, Swedish footballer
• Joe Willy, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Jack Willys, Major League Baseball pitcher.

Other surnames

Willy