Surname Willey - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Tapestry of my Surname 'Willey' Through the iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey Through Time
My exploration into my genetic roots through the iGENEA DNA test has revealed a fascinating journey of my surname – Willey. A name with English roots and an intimate bond with nature, a Celtic past and a surprise Viking connection – tracing my genetic lineage has been an illuminating dive into history, making the past a living entity that I carry in my genes.
R. Willey
read moreWilley: What does the surname Willey mean?
The surname Willey is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name derived from various places named with the Old English pre 7th Century words ‘wilig’ or ‘weylig’ which both mean ‘willow grove’. Such placenames would have been in use before the 8th century, and as such are amongst the earliest recorded. Thus, the name is likely to have referred to someone who had migrated from one of these places, and the name may have been adopted in its mutated form.
The surname Willey is most commonly found in the counties of Staffordshire in England and Mayo in Ireland, though it is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it has been carried by migrants seeking a new life.
Willey is considered to be an occupational surname, referring to a maker of wickerwork. However, it can also refer to someone who lived near a grove of willow trees. There is also some speculation that the surname Willey may be derived from the first name William, due to its close similarity in sound.
Though it is unclear why Willey is the surname of choice for certain families, its presence as a surname has endured over the centuries. Today, the name Willey is found in a wide variety of contexts, circumventing its origin and offering a reminder of the interconnectedness of the past and the present.
Order DNA origin analysisWilley: Where does the name Willey come from?
The last name Willey is one of the most widely distributed family names in the United States today. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, it was the 1,356th most common surname overall; however, this varied by state. North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas are the states with the highest population of Willey’s, followed by Utah, West Virginia, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
The majority of Willey's are situated in the mid-west but some other states also see a notable presence such as Alabama, Arkansas, and even California. It is estimated that approximately 66,000 people in the US bear the last name Willey. Many are direct descendants of the original Willey family, primarily from Germany and England.
The trend of Willey’s moving west has been in motion since the 1920’s. Before that, Willey’s were mainly located in Pennsylvania and Virginia but a lot of them chose to venture out westward, as did many other families in the early 20th century. Some of Willey's have taken up residence in places like Saskatchewan, Canada or Australia due to its migration.
Today, Willey’s are spread nearly everywhere in the United States. While they may not dominate any given area, they continue to form a lively group of individuals and families across the country. Even if you can’t find Willey’s in great numbers in any one place, you should still be able to find them if you look close enough.
Variations of the surname Willey
The surname Willey is of English origin. It is a topographic surname, derived from the Old English terms "wille," which referred to "a field or a meadow," and "leah," which meant "clearing or meadow." Variants of the surname Willey include Willee, Willeigh, Wylley, Wyllee, Wylleigh, Wylie and Willi.
Other spellings of Willey include Willy, Wili, Wilee, Wilie, Wiley, Wyley, Wily, Wile, Wili, Wyli and Wylley. Surnames of similar origin include Willet, Willetts, Willetts, Willit, Wyllit, Willett, Willitts, Wyllitts, Willets, Willatts and Willits.
The spelling of the Willey surname has changed over the centuries, so today, you may also find some variations of the surname in which the double L and double E no longer appear. Some examples of these forms are Wily, Wile, Wili and Wyli.
Willey is the most widespread form of the surname in England, but in Scotland, the most prevalent form is Wylie. Willey is also very common in the United States and many parts of Canada.
Furthermore, the Willey surname is said to have been derived from Old English words, such as 'wilig' meaning 'willow', and 'leah' referring to a meadow or clearing, and it is believed that the original bearer of the name had a dwelling near such a place.
Famous people with the name Willey
- Billy Willey: an American professional motocross racer and an X Games silver medalist.
- Brad Willey: an American actor who has worked in TV, film, and theatre.
- Carrie Willey: an American physiotherapist and former elite artistic gymnast.
- David Willey: an English cricketer who has featured in a variety of international cricket teams, such as England and Warwickshire.
- Dennis Willey: a former American soccer defender in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
- Frank Willey: an American voice actor, writer, director, and producer.
- Hilary Willey: an American former competitive figure skater.
- Jerry Willey: an American politician and former Mayor of Portland, Oregon.
- John Willey: an American television and film producer and director.
- Kate Willey: an American figure skater and the 1997 World Junior champion.
- Moses Willey: an American politician who served in the New Hampshire senate from 1790-1795.
- Peter Willey: an English former cricketer who played for Northamptonshire and England.
- Richard Willey: an English actor, director, and novelist.
- Robert Willey: a former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Roy Willey: an American former professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians in the early twentieth century.
- Tom Willey: a British actor and extra.
- William Willey: an American politician and member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio.