Willes History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe distinguished surname Willes emerged among the industrious people of Flanders, which was an important trading partner and political ally of Britain during the Middle Ages. As a result of the frequent commercial intercourse between the Flemish and English nations, many Flemish migrants settled in Britain. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. Occupational surnames were derived from the common trades of the medieval era. The surname Willes is an occupational name for a person employed in trapping fish. The surname Willes is derived from the late Old English word wil, which means trick and was used to refer to mechanical devices such as windmills or traps. This derivation of the name Willes is supported by the existence of the Old English word wyle, which refers to a wicker trap for catching fish, particularly eels. Historians also suggest that the surname may have also been a nickname applied to a cunning man or someone "of many wiles." Early Origins of the Willes familyThe surname Willes was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from early times. Early History of the Willes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willes research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1558, 1573, 1685, 1693, 1761 and 1773 are included under the topic Early Willes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Willes Spelling VariationsFlemish surnames are characterized by a large number of spelling variations. One reason for this is that medieval English lacked definite spelling rules. The spellings of surnames were also influenced by the official court languages, which were French and Latin. Names were rarely spelled consistently in medieval times. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to specific spelling rules, and people often had their names registered in several different forms throughout their lives. One of the greatest reasons for change is the linguistic uniqueness of the Flemish settlers in England, who spoke a language closely related to Dutch. The pronunciation and spelling of Flemish names were often altered to suit the tastes of English-speaking people. In many cases, the first, final, or middle syllables of surnames were eliminated. The name has been spelled Wiles, Willes, Wyles and others. Early Notables of the Willes familyProminent in the family at this time was
Early immigration records have shown some of the first Willess to arrive on North American shores: Willes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Willes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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