Find out how popular the last name Willet is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Willet.

Willet, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Willet surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willet in America

Willet is the 18440th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willet surname appeared 1,501 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Willet.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willet to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Willet

The surname Willet finds its roots in medieval England, with its earliest known derivation taking shape during the 11th and 12th centuries. The name traces its origin to regions such as Somerset and Kent, counties in the southwestern part of England. It is a locational surname, often associated with the Old English words "wila" or "wile," which referred to small settlements or hamlets situated by water.

Willet is thought to have evolved from words like "wyll," meaning a spring or well, and "wyl," relating to a dweller near a stream or brook. This association with water sources was significant in medieval times, as access to water was a key factor in settlement location. Variations in spelling, such as Willett and Wyllytt, were common in old records due to the lack of standardized spelling in the English language until much later.

Historical references to the surname can be found in several medieval records and manuscripts. One early mention is from the "Feudal Documents of the County of Somerset" in the 12th century, where a Richard Willet is recorded. In the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, a Thomas Willet is noted, indicating the spread of the surname to different regions of England over time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname in its more modern form appears in the 14th century. In the "Poll Tax Returns" of Yorkshire, dated 1379, a John Willet is listed. This document highlights the name's presence in northern England and reflects the broader geographic distribution of the name.

Several notable individuals bearing the surname Willet have made their mark on history. One such person is Thomas Willett (1605–1674), one of the earliest settlers in Massachusetts and the first English mayor of New York City, then known as New Amsterdam. His life and contributions are well-documented in American colonial history. Another is Andrew Willet (1562–1621), an English clergyman and theologian renowned for his numerous theological writings and scholarly works during the Elizabethan era.

In the 18th century, Captain John Willet was a British naval officer known for his naval exploits during the Seven Years' War. His notable career is captured in naval records and personal correspondence, which give a glimpse into life during this period. Another distinguished person was Mary Willet, an 18th-century English philanthropist whose charitable works, especially around the London area, benefited many impoverished communities.

In the 19th century, the name became associated with Major General Joseph Henry Willet, a prominent figure in the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars. His military career is documented in regimental histories and military dispatches of the time, reflecting the name's continued presence in British history.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Willet has maintained its relevance and spread across various regions, adapting through slight alterations in spelling and pronunciation while retaining its connection to its medieval English origins. Each historical individual with the surname adds to the rich tapestry that illustrates the endurance and evolution of the name over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willet

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Willet.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Willet was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Willet has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Willet was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Willet, please contact us.

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