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

Willin, 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 Willin surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willin in America

Willin is the 100302nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willin surname appeared 180 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Willin.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willin 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 Willin

The surname Willin is of English origin and can be traced back to the early medieval period. The name likely derives from geographic or topographic roots, with connections to specific regions or areas within England. It is believed to originate from Old English, with possible components being "willa" (a will or desire) and "ing" (a meadow or settlement). The historical roots can be linked to the rural, agrarian societies that heavily relied on land and its descriptions.

One historical reference to the surname which may be significant is the Domesday Book of 1086, though the name does not appear directly. The Domesday Book may have documented regions where similar names and their variants were prevalent, providing clues to its early presence in England.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Willin is from the 14th century. A record from the year 1327 mentions a Robert Willin in the Subsidy Rolls of York. This suggests that the name was already well-established by this period. Another early mention is of John Willin in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Records of 1379, which confirms the surname's enduring presence in the region.

Through the centuries, the spelling of the surname has seen minor variations, which is common with many surnames. Examples include Willan and Willins. Certain place names, such as Willington in County Durham or Willingham in Cambridgeshire, suggest a common etymological root that may have influenced the surname's emergence.

Famous individuals with the surname during earlier periods include Sir Thomas Willin, born in 1603 and died in 1671, known for his service in the English Civil War. Another notable figure is Reverend Samuel Willin, born in 1650 and active until his death in 1720, who was known for his contributions to theological discourse during the Restoration period.

Moving into the 19th century, one finds John Willin, a prominent figure born in 1825 whose influence as an industrialist marked the growth of British industry during the Victorian era. Matilda Willin, born in 1853, is another prominent character, having been an early advocate for women's education, reflecting the growing importance of social reform during her time.

Lastly, Prudence Willin, born in 1890, contributed significantly to early 20th-century literature and the suffrage movement. Her published works and advocacy reflect the evolving role of women in society and literature during a tumultuous period in British history.

Across the centuries, the Willin surname has been associated with various individuals who have left their mark in different domains, reflecting the rich tapestry of history tied to this name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willin

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

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 Willin 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 Willin 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 Willin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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