Surname Wils - Meaning and Origin
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Wils: What does the surname Wils mean?
The surname Wils is of German origin, and is an occupational name for a beekeeper or keeper of hives, deriving from the Middle High German 'wilse', which referred to an apiary or bee yard.
The term first appears in German records in the 13th century when beekeeping was a hugely profitable industry. Beekeepers would travel around selling honey and wax, and as a result, many of the earliest recorded Wilses were found in rural areas of Bavaria and Thuringia in central Germany.
The Wils surname is also common in other European countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. In these countries, it is often a cognate of the German Wils, such as the Dutch Wilssen, the Belgian Wilssens, and Wiles of Switzerland.
The name Wils is found in the US, mainly amongst German-American immigrants. This surname is relatively rare in the US today compared to other countries, as very few German immigrants arrived in the US prior to the 19th century.
Various spellings of the name Wils can be found across Europe, showing the versatility and different interpretations of the name over time. Variations of this surname include Wilse, Wile, Wilsemann, Welle, Willemse, Wilke and Wilschke.
Overall, the surname Wils in all its variations is an occupational name which has been used to denote a beekeeper for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWils: Where does the name Wils come from?
The last name Wils is relatively uncommon today, however it does appear in the United States, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, and may be found in other countries.
The United States has the highest population of Wils, with over 2,000 people listed in the census in 2020. According to City-Data, it is most commonly found in Wisconsin, with over 500 people currently living there. Texas, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota all have populations of Wils in the hundreds.
In Canada, the last name Wils is most common in the provinces of Ontario (over 200 people), Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.
In Germany, Wils is not as common, with only a few hundred estimated users. However, it is most commonly found in the states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein.
In The Netherlands, France, and Mexico, Wils is also not as common. In The Netherlands, it is most commonly found in North Holland. In France, it is most common in the regions of Centre-Val de Loire and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. In Mexico, Wils is mainly found in the state of Yucatán.
In the United Kingdom, Wils is most commonly found in England, particularly in the East of England and South East England.
Overall, the last name Wils is not common in the world today, however it is prominent in the United States and other countries such as Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Wils
The surname Wils is a West Germanic surname, originating from the personal name William. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wils are as follows:
Wilts: This is the most common alternate spelling to Wils and is a variant of the name Wilts. The Wilts surname has Anglo-Saxon and Norse roots, originating as a nickname for someone who had an overbearing or strong-willed personality.
Wiltz: Wiltz is a German-derived surname from the Switzerland Alsace region and is a variant of the Wils surname. The name may also have a relation to the city of Wiltz, an important military stronghold before the Second World War.
Willes: Willes is a patronymic form of William, a name derived from the Germanic name Willahelm. This surname is derived from the Middle English male personal name consisting of two parts: will, meaning 'desire', and helm, meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Wilcox: Wilcox is a variant of the surname Wils. This variant originated from the pre 10th-century Olde English personal name, Willahelm or Willewulf, and comes from the combination of the words 'willa' meaning 'will, desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet, protection'.
Wilkes: Wilkes is a variant of the surname Wils and is a patronymic form of the medieval given names Will, Wilkin and William. It is a locational and occupational surname derived from the Old English wilk, which meant 'stream', or the Germanic wilka, meaning 'wood, forest' or 'meadow'.
Wilkins: Wilkins is a variant of the surname Wils and is a patronymic form of the Middle English given name Willkin. It derived from the personal name Willewulf, which is a combination of two Old English elements: 'willa' meaning 'will, desire' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet, protection'.
Famous people with the name Wils
- Corey Wilson: Professional surfer from Australia
- Dino Wils: Professional basketball player (Power Forward) from France
- Roderick Wils: Professional baseball player (Pitcher) from Dominican Republic
- John A. Wilson: Co-founder and former President of the National Urban League
- Shirley Wilson Logan: Founder and President of the American Association of University Women
- Asher Wilson: British professional snowboarder
- Ernest Wils: American Civil War veteran, former slave and celebrated political leader
- Camillo Wils: Italian professional soccer player
- John Wils: Retired American basketball player (Point guard)
- William Wils: English professional golfer