Surname Wilss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wilss: What does the surname Wilss mean?
The last name Wilss is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the German words 'Wille' and 'Hose', both of which mean 'will' and 'trousers' respectively. This suggests that the original bearer of the name might have been a trousermaker, an artisan in the clothier trade. Other theories suggest that the name could have derived from a nickname for an individual who was particularly determined in achieving his objectives, someone who would not allow any obstacles to stand in his way.
The name Wilss is not particularly common today, but there are still some examples to be found in Germany and across Europe, as well as in the United States of America. The English spelling of the name is usually Wilse, although there are some variations depending on the country.
In Germany, the name Wilss can be found in a range of places including Paderborn, Worms, Rheinhessen, and Frankfurt, suggesting that it may have spread across the region over many centuries. In the United States of America, the name is predominately found in Pennsylvania due to German immigrants arriving in the late 17th century.
The name Wilss is an interesting one that could have many different interpretations. Ultimately, the origin behind it is unclear, but one thing is certain - it is a reminder that an individual's determination, no matter what the task, can pay off in the end.
Order DNA origin analysisWilss: Where does the name Wilss come from?
The last name Wilss is most commonly seen today in Germany and other countries populated by German-speaking citizens. The name goes back centuries to a region in Germany known as Sauerland, where it was first mentioned in 1524. Wilss is thought to have likely originated from the location itself, or perhaps from a personal name that evolved into a familial name over time. It has since become a popular hereditary surname throughout Europe and other places with German influence.
The modern distribution of the Wilss surname is quite broad, stretching as far south as Italy and Croatia. It also appears in Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic, plus other parts of Europe where German migration has occurred. Outside of Europe, there are Wilss families in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The percentage of people with the Wilss surname is likely highest in Germany, with some estimates indicating that around 2% of all Germans may carry this name. In families that have descendants from Germany, the name can still be found, although it may be spelled “Willes,” “Wils” or “Viles” depending on the geographical area.
Variations of the surname Wilss
The surname Wilss is a relatively rare variant of the English surname Wills. It is derived from the Middle English word "Willes", which was used to describe someone who was an orator or a speaker. It was originally found in Somerset and Dorset in southwestern England.
The spelling Wilss is the most common version of the name. It is also occasionally spelled as Wils, Willes, Wills, Wyls, and Wylls. Variations of the spelling can be found throughout the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia.
In some countries, the spelling may be anglicized into simpler versions, such as Wills or Wiles. However, the spelling Wilss still tends to be more common in countries where English is the official language.
Surnames that are derived from the same origin with Wilss include Willis, Wilsey, Willsie, Wilsie, William, Williams, Willingham, Wilcox, and Wiles.
Finally, additional variants of the surname Wilss/Wills include: Wilsom, Willcum, Wileman, Wilmes, Wilcoxson, Willeman, Willson, Willsmore, Wilks, Wilkin, Wilkins, Wilken, Wilkens, Wilkerson, Wilkers, Wilker, Wilkerson, Wilkis, Wilkie, Wilkies, Wilkshire, Wilky, Wilkiner, Willcorn, Wilcous, Willcoxen, Willcoxson, Wilce, Wildman, Wildoman, Wilder, Wilders, and Wileson.
Famous people with the name Wilss
- Andrew Wilss: actor
- Philipp Wilss: Austrian professional snowboarder
- Michael Wilss: American football coach
- Adolf Wilss: German stage and screen actor
- Maria Wilss: American dancer and choreographer
- Hans Wilss: German professor of civil engineering
- Henry Wilss: former Chairman of the International Executive Board of the YMCA
- Julius Wilss: German composition teacher
- Alexander Wilss: German lawyer and politician
- Herbert Wilss: German gymnast
- Margit Wilss: German actress
- Gudrun Wilss: German writer
- Gordon Wilss: American pilot and adventurer
- Edda Wilss: German athlete
- Katja Wilss: German composer
- Albin Wilss: German chess master
- Anna Wilss: Swiss musician and composer
- Walther Wilss: German swimmer
- Gregor Wilss: German geologist
- Anke Wilss: German actress