Surname Willsey - Meaning and Origin

Willsey: What does the surname Willsey mean?

The surname Willsey is of English and sometimes Scottish origin. It is actually derived from the place name Wilsey, which comes from the Old English term wielsig meaning 'water meadow.'

The surname is believed to have originated as a habitational name, derived from the location of Wilsey, a hamlet in the English county of East Sussex.

The earliest known record of the name is William de Wilesye, which was found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk in the year 1273 AD. The record states that he held a tenant-in-chief under the barony of William de Warenne; one of the most powerful barons in England before 1066 AD.

The Willsey surname is also found in Scotland, though it is likely that the name in Scotland is a variant of the original English form. It is also quite common for the surname to be rendered as Willis, Willas, Willes, Willice, Wills, Willsey and Wilzey.

Today, the surname is found in different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Immigrants who bore the name Willsey originally came from England or Scotland and settled in these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The name Willsey is a proud reminder of the Willsey family's roots and their long and honorable history of being a part of English society for centuries.

Willsey: Where does the name Willsey come from?

The last name Willsey is believed to have originated from England. It is most common in the United States, particularly in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The name is also fairly common in Canada, specifically in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The Willsey name is considered to be a locational surname, originating from a place-name, most likely William's Eye, an old English term for an area of land owned by William. Over time, the name Willsey became derived from William's Eye as a patronymic, meaning it was a surname indicating descent from "son of William."

Today, the surname Willsey is still quite common in the US and Canada. It can also be found in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries across the world. As the name is still quite frequently used, it is likely that its history will continue to be preserved for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Willsey

The surname Willsey is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Wilsaeg, which in turn is derived from the Old Norse name Vilsegr. It is believed to have been used to identify people from the area of East Anglia known as Wilsaeg land.

Variants of the name Willsey include Wilsay, Wilsay, Willsay, Wilesay, Wileys, Wiley, Wilschelle, Wellsey, Wilsie, Wilsay, Willsie, Wilsey, Willcey, Wilesy and Wilcie.

Alternative spellings of the surname Willsey include Willseye, Willsee, Wilsea, Wilseye, Wilsie, Wilse, Willcey, Willcy, Willseye, Wilsse, Willseyas, Willcye, Wilesse, Willzy, Wilesey, Wilsay, Wolese, Wilseigh and Willseea.

Surnames of the same origin as Willsey include Whelan, Wilkins, Wilks, Wilkowski, Wille, Wiling, Willet, Willette, Willets, Willett, Willey, Wills, Willsher, Willson, Willy, Wilsberg and Wilson.

Famous people with the name Willsey

• Caitlyn Willsey: American actress and dancer best known for her role as Joana in “Dream Maker”
• Don Willsey: American major league baseball player from the 1930s
• Gary Willsey: American football defensive end who played in the National Football League in the 1970s and 1980s
• Hugo Willsey: American politician who served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1815 to 1820
• Jake Willsey: American film and television composer with over 90 credits in film and television
• Lynn Willsey: Author, notable for her memoir, “Unsinkable: A Memoir of Family, Faith and Freedom”
• Merlin Willsey: American physicist and engineer, known for his work on early radar and guidance systems
• Roy Willsey: American minor league baseball player from the 1950s
• Sarah Willsey: Professional squash player from Australia, winner of two WISPA World Tour titles
• Sean Willsey: American actor, best known for his role as Hunter in “Prime Suspect”
• Tyler Willsey: American multi-instrumentalist and producer, member of the indie rock band Bear Ghost
• Wallace Willsey: American painter and sculptor, notable for his abstract works
• Warren Willsey: American educator and academic administrator, known for his work as a college president and chancellor
• William Willsey: American newspaper editor and publisher, founder of the Wales Daily Record

Other surnames

WillsWillscheidWillscheidtWillseaWillsheereWillsherWillshireWillsonWillsy