Surname Willers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Willers: What does the surname Willers mean?
The last name Willers is derived from the German and Dutch surname Willer and is an occupational name for a servant or an official in a royal court. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'willer' which translates to 'servant'.
The earliest uses of the name Willers in the German language date back to as early as the 12th century, during the noble dynasties of the Middle Ages.
This name comes from the old German root word “willas” which has the meaning of “lord”, “servant” or “official”. A “willas” was someone who was responsible for managing the affairs of a court or government. This lineage of occupation can be seen from the roots of the name, since the oldest recorded form of the name was “Willer” and all of its derived forms are either an occupational title or equivalent.
Over the centuries, variations of the name Willers have developed, including Willer, Wilers, Willers, Wyller, Wiler and Wilens. These variations were brought about by changes in languages and dialects.
The name Willers is thought to have spread throughout Europe during the medieval times, and it is today most commonly found in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The name Willers is still used today, and can be found in many different countries, particularly in Europe. The family name is generally found among those of Dutch, German, or Flemish heritage, however, the name is also found sporadically in other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWillers: Where does the name Willers come from?
The last name Willers is most commonly found in parts of Germany today. The name is associated with both Saxon and Flemish regions. Many of those with the Willers surname settled in western Germany during the medieval period.
In modern times, the surname is particularly common around the Lower Saxon region, where up to 20,000 people in the present day carry the name. Along with Lower Saxony, the surname is still seen with considerable frequency in regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The name Willers is also known to be shared by Jewish families hailing from the town of Memmelsdorf in Bavaria, Germany. Typically of Jewish descent, it is theorised that this branch of the Willers family took up the name as an adaptation of the Biblical ‘Maller’.
Those with Willers as a last name have also been recorded in modern days in the countries of England, Wales, and Scotland. Although historically it is believed that German immigrants may have taken the name to Britain, there is no definitive answer as to why the name is found there.
Overall, the last name Willers is most commonly found today in Germany, particularly in the Lower Saxon region. Though the name can also be found across Europe, it is most concentrated to this area.
Variations of the surname Willers
Willers is a locational surname originating from the Anglo-Saxon language, which was brought to England by the invading Germanic tribes. It is derived from the phrase “willers,” which refers to someone who lived near a willow tree.
The most common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Willers include Willar, Willier, Wilier, Willeir, Willeyer, Wyliar, Wylier, Wylleyer, and Wyllier.
Other related surnames include Willerton, Willersby, Willersley, Willersworth, and Willsher. These surnames are derived from geographical locations where there was a willow tree, such as Willerton in Lancashire and Willersby in Yorkshire.
The surname has also been Anglicized to "Willers," as well as other variations including Wilers, Willes, and Willis.
Additionally, there is also the surname “Willersdorf”, which has its origin in Germany and is derived from the town of Willersdorf.
Overall, Willers is a common surname of English origins, however there are many variations, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Willers
- Jasper Willers, Dutch actor
- Harry Willers, English soccer player
- Carl Willers, American poet
- Nathan Willers, American rapper
- Harry Willers Jr., British politician
- Isabelle Willers, French journalist
- Emilio Willers, German businessman
- Luca Willers, Italian artist
- Nina Willers, Swedish musician
- Arthur Willers, Australian race car driver