Surname Willins - Meaning and Origin
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Willins: What does the surname Willins mean?
The last name “Willins” is an interesting one which has been around for hundreds of years. It is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and first found in the areas of Wiltshire, England. As a surname, it means “from the willow” or “from the willow grove”. It is most likely derived from the old English word “wille” which means “willow”.
The willow tree has long been viewed as a symbol of strength, endurance, beauty, and resilience. It is a hardy tree, able to survive and thrive in many different climates, so it can also be viewed as symbolizing the power of the family with the last name “Willins”. It has also been seen as a symbol of mourning, reminding us of difficult times in the past.
Today, those with the last name “Willins” likely still carry the traits of strength, resilience, and endurance within their family tree. They may share a common ancestral background in the history of Wiltshire, England, although this could never be proven without in-depth genealogical research. It could also be that the “Willins” name was adopted by a family of different ethnic backgrounds, but even then, the willow tree symbolism still applies.
Order DNA origin analysisWillins: Where does the name Willins come from?
The last name Willins is uncommon but can be found primarily in the United States and Canada. In the US, it was most likely brought to the country by British settlers, as evidenced by the fact that it can be found primarily in places with British roots, like New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
In Canada, immigrants from across Europe first brought Willins to the country. The name can be primarily found concentrated in Canada's provinces and territories that have a large presence of European immigrants, namely Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Willins is still a relatively uncommon surname. According to the US Census Bureau, there are just over 600 individuals in the US with the last name Willins. In Canada, over 400 people bear the name.
Relevant to its uncommonness, there does not appear to be a link to a specific ethnic background—it was brought to the Northern part of North America by many different immigrant groups. The name can also be found across many English-speaking countries in Europe, including the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark.
Overall, the last name Willins is definitely not as prevalent as some other surnames, but can be found in isolated pockets around the US and in Canada, as well as in some English-speaking European countries.
Variations of the surname Willins
The surname Willins has different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin depending on the language or culture. Some of the most common variants, spellings and surnames of Willins are as follows:
1. Wilkins: This is perhaps the most commonly used variant of Willins. This spelling is mainly used in English and in English-speaking countries.
2. Wilkyns: This variant spelling is mainly used in Scotland and England.
3. Wilkings: This spelling is mainly used in Germany and Austria.
4. Woolkins: This is mainly used in the United States.
5. Wilkenez: This variant of Willins is commonly used in Latin America, particularly in countries like Mexico.
6. Wilkensohn: This decendant of the Willins name is mainly found in Poland.
7. Wilken: This variant is mainly used in Scandinavia and the Netherlands.
8. Wilkense: This is another variant that is mainly used in Germany and Austria.
9. Willkinson: This variant is mainly found in England and Scotland.
10. Wilke: This variant is mainly found in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia.
11. Woolken: This variant is mainly used in the United States.
12. Wilkenheim: This variant is mainly used in Germany.
13. Willesson: This variant of Willins is mainly found in the Scandinavian countries.
14. Wilkenpathic: This variant of Willins is mainly found in Germany.
15. Wilkenkonig: This variant of Willins is mainly found in Germany.
These are some of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Willins. Over time, these variants and spellings have changed and evolved, which is why different spellings exist for the same surname.
Famous people with the name Willins
- Fred Willins: French-Italian actor, producer, writer, and director known primarily for his work in Italian film between the 1970s and 1990s.
- David Willins: American television and film producer and director known for his Emmy Award-winning work on The West Wing and The Bernie Mac Show.
- Oona Willins: American professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Washington Mystics.
- Daniel Willins: Canadian actor and producer, best known for his appearances in such films as Fido and The Hanging Garden.
- Max Willins: English cricketer who played one Test match for England in 1912.
- Robin Willins: English entrepreneur, investor, and the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of ValueGuard, a public traded auto finance company.
- David Willins: British professional rugby union player who represented England U20 and the Barbarians.
- Devon Willins: Canadian professional snowboarder and X Games athlete.
- Bob Willins: American professional football player who played wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Henry Willins: American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania, who served as a Democratic member of the US Senate from 1899 to 1905.