Willison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Those who made the voyage were greeted with ample opportunity to acquire land and a political climate far away from the oppressive monarchy of the old country. They settled along the east coast of what would become Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence, those who remained loyal to England traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, many Scots living in North America have begun to recover their rich heritage through festivals, highland games, and Clan societies. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name Willison:

Willison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Ed Willison, who landed in Virginia in 1666 4

Willison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Anne Willison, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 4
• Robert Willison, who arrived in South Carolina in 1729 4
• James Willison, who arrived in Virginia in 1787 4

Willison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• R Willison, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 4

Willison Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Alexander Willison, aged 55, who settled in America from Ayrshire, in 1904
• Mr. C. L. Willison, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1904
• Andrew Willison, aged 19, who landed in America from Bronghty Ferry, Scotland, in 1907
• Willison, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Dundee, Scotland, in 1907
• John Willison, aged 56, who immigrated to the United States from Derby, England, in 1908
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Willison Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. John Willison U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 5

Willison Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• John Stephen Willison, aged 53, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1910
• Beatrice Willison, aged 36, who settled in Toronto, Ont., Canada, in 1914
• Frank Willison, aged 15, who settled in Toronto, Ont., Canada, in 1914
• William Henry Willison, aged 49, who settled in Goodwood, Canada, in 1923

Willison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Walter Willison, aged 38, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Flora" 6

• Walter Willison (b. 1947), American Tony award nominated stage actor
• George Findley Willison (1896-1972), American writer and editor who specialized in American history, best known for his book Saints and Strangers, about the lives of the Mayflower Pilgrims
• Brian Willison (b. 1977), American academic, former Executive Director of the Parsons Institute for Information Mapping, Geneva, Switzerland
• George Willison (1741-1797), Scottish portrait-painter, a son of David Willison, an Edinburgh printer and publisher, and a grandson of John Willison, Scottish divine 7
• John Willison (1680-1750), Scottish divine, born at or near Stirling, where his family had been long settled and possessed considerable property 7
• John Willison (1680-1750), Scottish Christian minister and author
• Jackson Dan Kingi Willison (b. 1988), New Zealand rugby union footballer, member of the New Zealand under-20 (2010) and the All Blacks (2010-)
• Simon Willison, British programmer, co-founder of the social conference directory Lanyrd, co-creator of the Django Web framework
• Marjorie Willison, Canadian author of books on gardening and a radio personality on CBC Radio One
• Leigh Matthew Willison (b. 1969), former Australian rules footballer who played for Western Australia in 1998
• ... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)