Willian History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Etymology of Willian

What does the name Willian mean?

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor as in 'the son of William,' from nickname Will, diminutive Will-in. 1 2

Early Origins of the Willian family

The surname Willian was first found in Yorkshire, where the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Cecilia Wylyn; Ricardus Wylyn; and Johannes Willion as all holding klands there at that time. 1

"The Willings are represented in the Kingsbridge district [of Devon.] Willing was a Buckinghamshire name in the reign of Edward I. " 3

Further to the north in Scotland, the earliest record of this name was of Thomas and William Whillans who held lands in the Lordship of Liddesdale about 1490. The name is believed to be derived from the old lands of Quheillands in the lordships of Liddisdaill. Thomas and William Querland were mentioned in 1505 and just one year later, they are referred to as Thomas and William Querlance.

Early History of the Willian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willian research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1578, 1579, 1622, 1704 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Willian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willian Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Whillans, Whillens, Wheelans, Willan, Willans and others.

Early Notables of the Willian family

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

Migration of the Willian family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Whilan settled in New York in 1853.

Contemporary Notables of the name Willian (post 1700) +

Willian Roberto de Farias (b. 1989), known as Willian Farias, Brazilian professional footballer
Willian de Sousa e Lima (b. 2000), Brazilian Silver Olympian judoka
Willian Santiago (1991-2021), Brazilian illustrator, graphic designer, and professor

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.