Surname Wollace - Meaning and Origin
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Wollace: What does the surname Wollace mean?
The surname Wollace is of Scotch-Irish origin, and is a variant of the name Wallace. The name Wallace itself is derived from the Norman name Le Waleis, which means "a stranger from Wales." Historically, it has been assumed that the Normans introduced the name to Scotland following their eleventh century invasion of Britain, though some argue its origin may be of Pictish-Gaelic origin.
The Wallace surname quickly spread across the British Isles, and is found in varying forms such as Waallis, Wallis, and Wollace in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Scottish Lowlands. It can also be seen in the form Wolles, Wollish, Wollace, Wollach, and other variations.
The meaning of the name can be traced back to the Old English word "wala," which meant "stranger," or "foreigner," and is likely derived from the early Celtic word "wallos," meaning "wanderer." This suggests that the surname was used to indicate a person of foreign origin.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name became increasingly popular. In Scotland, the Clan Wallace grew powerful, and Robert the Bruce made his famous 'hero of Scotland', Sir William Wallace, one of the main characters in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Today, the name Wollace is most commonly seen in Scotland and Northern England. It is associated with a proud and storied history of courageous warriors, proud patriots and gallant defenders of freedom.
Order DNA origin analysisWollace: Where does the name Wollace come from?
The last name Wallace is most common in countries that were formerly part of the British Empire such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. It is usually derived from the term “Welshman” as it was quite common among the Welsh who migrated to these countries in large numbers.
The last name Wallace is associated with personal characteristics such as ambition, loyalty, determination, and a strong sense of family. In the United States it is reportedly the 45th most common last name while in Canada it is 11th most common, and in Australia it is 44th.
As of 2021, the population of Wallace holders in the US is estimated to be around 1.7 million people. The most populous states for this last name are Alabama, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee. The largest group of Wallace holders in the US are reportedly Scottish and Irish, in that order. In the UK, the last name Wallace is most commonly found in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and County Armagh.
A more recent origin for the last name Wallace is reportedly African-American, deriving from the name of several slave owners in the Southern United States in the 19th century. There are also reports of it being used as an African-American surname of French origin.
No matter the origin, the last name Wallace is a popular last name today and it will likely remain so for years to come.
Variations of the surname Wollace
The surname Wollace, also spelled Wallace, could have derived from different sources and other variants of the same name have developed over time.
Wallace was first derived from the French word "le Waleis" which means "the Welshman", and became a popular Anglo-Scottish surname. Thus, Wallace may have referred to someone with Welsh ancestry or who hailed from Wales.
Wallis, Walliss and Wallice are variants of the Wallace surname. The Wallis variant is likely derived from the French form of Wallace, "le Wallis". Walliss is a Scottish version of Wallace, and Wallice may be Anglo-Norman or a form of Welsh origin.
Other spellings of Wallace include Walles, Walless, Wallis, Wolles, Woolace and Wollas, which can all be found in the U.K.
Finally, the Wallace surname may have spread to other countries in Europe and beyond, such as Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, and America, where different spellings and versions of the name developed. Common variants in these countries include Wallis, Wallam, Wallman, Walshingham, Vollaw, Vollad, Valus, Vallis, and Malkcoloritz.
Overall, the surname Wallace is derived from the French word “Le Waleis”, meaning "the Welshman". Variations of Wallace can be found in many countries, including Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, America, and beyond. Some of the variants include Wallis, Wallam, Wallman, Walles, Walless, Wolles, Wallice, Woolace, and Wollas.
Famous people with the name Wollace
1) Sarah Jessica Parker: American actress and producer. 2) Nathan Scott Wallace: American actor and model. 3) Dennis Henry Wollace: former British soldier and politician. 4) Morris E. Wollace: American politician and lawyer. 5) Chuck Wollace: American football executive and former player. 6) Donald Wollace: Australian actor. 7) Mark A. Wollace: American politician. 8) Eileen Wollace: British actress. 9) Alexander Wollace: English composer, pianist, and conductor. 10) Barbara Wollace: American actress. 11) Bob Wollace: American filmmaker and author. 12) Peter Wollace: British actor and comedian. 13) John Wollace: Scottish professional golfer.