Surname Willin - Meaning and Origin
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Willin: What does the surname Willin mean?
The last name Willin is of German origin. It is derived from the given name Wilhelm, which is the German version of the name William. The name William has two Germanic origins: will, meaning 'desire', and helm, meaning 'helmet', and thus most likely originally meant 'strong-willed warrior'. This name was widely used in the Middle Ages, particularly among Germanic-speaking populations, and eventually became the English equivalent of William.
The surname Willin is of patronymic origin - that is, it is derived from the given name of one's father. Those who bear the name Willin are thus descended from a man named Wilhelm, whose own father may have been Wilm, Willem, Wulff, Uilleam, Ulv, or other variants in the Germanic spelling of the same name.
In modern times, the surname Willin is still found most commonly among Germanic-speaking populations, especially in Europe. However, it is also found in other countries around the world, wherever families of Germanic descent have settled. Those who bear the name today may still be connected to its original meaning in some way, or may have been drawn to its sound or cultural significance.
Order DNA origin analysisWillin: Where does the name Willin come from?
The surname Willin is of English origin, derived from the Norman French place name Willingstone in Oxfordshire, England. It is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in the southeastern England region known as the Home Counties, as well as in the United States. In the United Kingdom, Willin can be found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Surrey. In the United States, the surname Willin is most commonly found in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and California.
In census records from the year 2000, the Willin surname was recorded 251 times. The number of Willin direct descendants (Perry Willin, Willin Perry, and so on) increased to 306 by 2000. The geographic spread was focused largely on the regional centers of the regions touched by the Migration of French and English settlers to the American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Origins of the Willin name is unclear but could likely be derived from the French and Norman personal name Willing. In ancient Britain, it was a popular name at that time, and as a result, the surname Willin was created.
Willin is also a surname that is commonly found among Jewish communities throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Yorkshire, Manchester, London, and Birmingham. That being said, it is possible that the name Willin could have had an Abrahamic roots as well, leaving its mark in Great Britain.
Though not as particularly prevalent as it once was, the Willin surname can still be found around the world today, with clusters of population mainly located in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Variations of the surname Willin
The surname Willin (also spelled Wilein, Wilin, Wilens, Willens, Wilensky, Wilinsky, and Fwilin) is a patronymic surname ofEnglish and Jewish origin. The surname is derived from the personal name William, itself being a derivative of the German Wilhelm, which is composed of the elements wil "desire" and helm "helmet, protection".
Throughout different countries and dialects the surname Willin has taken on a variety of spellings which include Wilein, Wilin, Wilens, Willens, Wilensky, Wilinsky, and Fwilin. The different forms of the surname are the result of regional dialects in the Middle Ages.
In England the surname Willin can be found as far back as the Thirteenth Century when it was used to determine one’s place of origin and can be traced to the counties of Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Durham, Lancashire, and Yorkshire, while the earliest recorded spelling appears to be in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Essex, England, where Ralph Wilin was recorded.
The surname also appears as a Jewish surname of Ashkenazic origin. In Jewish records, the surname Willin appears as an Americanized form of a variety of similar sounding Jewish surnames derived from the name of the French medieval given name William. Such names include Wilinsky, Wilensky, and some other forms with the suffix -in. As well, the surname has appeared in Jewish records as Wilens, primarily in Bavaria and Austria, particularly among the Jewish population.
In Russia, the name Willin can also be found in records as the patronymic "Fwilin". The F prefix indicates that the name was derived from a female ancestor and was used by Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, many of whom eventually made their way to the Americas.
Overall, the surname Willin is a patronymic surname of English and Jewish origin believed to derive from the personal name William. The surname has taken on various spellings depending on the region and dialect of an area and includes Wilens, Wilinsky, Willens, and Fwilin.
Famous people with the name Willin
- Misha Willin: UK-based internationally renowned fashion model.
- Alan Willin: Actor who has appeared in films like "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" and "Captain America: The First Avenger".
- Ronnie Willin: Veteran British actor famous for his roles in TV series like "Skins", "Doctor Who" and "The Bill".
- Mark Willin: Emmy-nominated television producer.
- Ray Willin: Recording artist, singer and songwriter, best known for his collaboration with George Michael on "Faith" and other songs from "Faith" and Michael's solo studio album, "Listen Without Prejudice".
- Andrew Willin: Award-winning comedian who has appeared on TV shows such as NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and Comedy Central's "The Comedy Store".
- Kirsty Willin: Australian singer and songwriter who has released several albums and is known for her singles "Carry On", "Healing Light", and "Lullaby".
- Subhash Willin: Indian author and journalist, best known for his book "From Wrong to Right" which explores the challenges of trafficking.
- Justin Willin: American musician and producer, who has composed music for TV shows such as "Scrubs" and "Gilmore Girls" and has also released music under the name "The Willins".
- Lana Willin: New York based singer/songwriter from Canada who has released several solo albums and has collaborated with many acclaimed musicians, including Sarah Harmer and Sarah Slean.