Willies Surname History

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Willies family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the personal name William. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Uilleim, which means son of William.

Early Origins of the Willies family

The surname Willies was first found in on the Isle of Harris, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland.

Early History of the Willies family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willies research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1187, 1215, 1613 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Willies History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willies Spelling Variations

In various documents Willies has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacWilliam, MacQuilliam, MacKilliam, MacWilliams, MacKullie, MacCullie, MacWillie and many more.

Early Notables of the Willies family

More information is included under the topic Early Willies Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Willies family to Ireland

Some of the Willies family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Willies family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Willies or a variant listed above: Archibald McWilliam settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1773; Alexander, Charles, Daniel, Edward, Felix, Henry, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Richard, Thomas and William McWilliam all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..