Willis

Willis is a surname of English origin that is derived from the Old Norse personal name Willelmus, which was a form of William. The name William means "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior". Willis was originally a patronymic surname, meaning it was passed down through generations based on the father's given name. The earliest recorded instances of the surname Willis can be found in England during the late 13th century. It is believed to have been brought to England by Norman invaders who arrived with William the Conqueror in 1066. Over time, Willis became a common surname throughout England and other parts of Europe. In some cases, Willis may also be an Americanized form of similar-sounding surnames such as Wills or Wilusz from other European countries like Germany or Poland. Despite its origins, the surname Willis is now widespread across many different cultures and regions around the world. Today, Willis is still a popular surname and can be found in various spellings such as Wills, Willy, Willie, and even Willson. It has also become a given name for boys in some parts of the world, particularly in North America. However, its meaning remains unchanged: "resolute protection" or "strong-willed warrior".