Surname Wilsey - Meaning and Origin
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Wilsey: What does the surname Wilsey mean?
The last name Wilsey is of English origin, and is derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Wulfsige. The name itself was constructed from the two Old English elements Wulf (meaning wolf) and sige (victory, triumph). Thus, the name Wilsey is a reference to the unique strength, courage, and resilience of a wolf.
This was no doubt appreciated by those who first took this name, and likely inspired many of the noble achievements that later bearers of the name have gone on to do.
The surname Wilsey has been found among the ranks of influential leaders, theologians, politicians, and community members throughout the centuries. Even today, Wilseys can be found in positions of power and influence.
The strength of a wolf is still an important part of the Wilsey identity, and the power and resilience of the wolf remains a source of inspiration in many Wilsey households. Those with the name Wilsey are believed to be strong, brave, ambitious, and determined – all traits traditionally associated with the wolf as a symbol.
Overall, the last name Wilsey is a symbol of power, courage, and influence, and represents a family with a long-standing history of achieving great things.
Order DNA origin analysisWilsey: Where does the name Wilsey come from?
The surname Wilsey is most commonly seen in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and the Southwest. The name is also found in parts of the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In the United States, the Wilsey name is most frequently found in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Arizona. It is also seen in numerous other states, such as California, New York, Texas, and Florida. In Canada, Wilsey is most commonly seen in British Columbia and Ontario.
Most people with the name Wilsey are of English heritage, according to Ancestry.com. The name has been in use since the 1300s. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English wilsig, meaning “from the willow tree.”
Today, there are over 9,000 people living in the United States who trace their ancestry back to the name Wilsey. Most who bear the name today are likely descendants of the early English settlers, many of whom came to the United States in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Variations of the surname Wilsey
The surname Wilsey is an English habitational name which originated from the small village of Wilsey located in Hampshire, England. The village is believed to have derived its name from an old English personal name Willa, or from the Anglo Saxon word for “willow grove”. Variations on the surname Wilsey may include Wilsie, Wilsiey, Wilesy, and Wylsey, as well as a rare surname Durham. High concentrations of the name Wilsey, including the variants listed, are commonly found in the South East of England.
In America, some common variations of the name Wilsey are Welsey, Willsey, Wellsie, Wilcey and Wilzai. Some other spellings can also include Wellsey, Wilcy, Wilsay, Willsay, Willseye and Wylcey. As with its English equivalents, these forms are found mainly in the South eastern states of America.
Variations in other countries may also include Willessy, Wylssen, Wilsi, and Wilso, with Wylssen and Wils being the most common in Germany. In Scotland, the surname Wilsey may be spelled as Whelesay, Whillsay, Wilesy, Wilsay or Wylsay. Finally, a rare variant in Wales is Wolsay.
In summary, the surname Wilsey is a habitational name which is believed to have originated in Hampshire, England. Variations and derivatives of the name may include Wilsie, Wylsey, Wellsey, Wilcey and Wylssen. In America, some common variations are Welsey, Willsey, Wellsie and Wilcy, and some rare variants exist in other countries such as Germany, Scotland and Wales.
Famous people with the name Wilsey
- Chris Wilsey: Chris Wilsey is an American singer/songwriter from New York. He has been forming and releasing music since 2008, and has released songs with notable artists such as Train and Ron Sexsmith. His music has been used in various TV shows, films and video-games.
- David Wilsey: David Wilsey is a former American professional baseball player. His Major League career lasted from 1979 to 1985, in which he played for the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets. He was well known for his ability to hit behind runners and was also an excellent fielder.
- John Wilsey: John Wilsey is an American Christian author, speaker, and professor. His writings focus on the importance of Christian faith in modern society in a variety of topics, such as apologetics, theology, and church history. His best-known book is The Story of Reality.
- Jordan Wilsey: Jordan Wilsey is an American actor, model, and musician. He has appeared in a number of films such as We Summon the Darkness, Welcome to Willits, and Jeepers Creepers 3. He is also a regular on TV series such as For the People, Six, and The Resident.
- Elizabeth Wilsey: Elizabeth Wilsey is an American philanthropist and art collector. She is the co-chair of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's Collectors' Council, and is a major donor to SFMOMA and a number of other charities such as the Barbara Schroeder Breast Cancer Treatment Center. She is also the founder and President of the nonprofit organization Women's Voices Now.