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

Willsey, 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 Willsey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willsey in America

Willsey is the 21218th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willsey surname appeared 1,237 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 Willsey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willsey 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 Willsey

The surname Willsey is primarily of English origin and is thought to have originated in the medieval period. The name likely derives from the Old English personal name Willa, meaning "will" or "desire," combined with the suffix "ey," which means "island" or "clearing." The name may thus be interpreted as "Willa's Island" or "Willa's Clearing."

The earliest recorded examples of the surname Willsey appear in medieval England. It is worth noting that during this period, spelling variations of surnames were commonplace. Early records show various iterations, including Willesey, Wilsey, and Wylse. An example from historical manuscripts includes a reference to John Wylse in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296.

The name Willsey appears in different official records over the centuries. One notable instance is an entry in the Patent Rolls in the year 1323, where a Thomas Wilsey is mentioned. This points to the spread and establishment of the surname in different parts of England during the 14th century.

Another significant occurrence is in the 16th century; Edmund Willesey was registered in the Oxford University Register in 1595, showcasing the usage of the name among educated classes. The altering spelling variations also continued during this period, reflecting regional dialects and the evolution of the English language.

In the 17th century, the name appears in colonial American records. William Willsey, born circa 1625, is one of the earliest documented bearers of the surname in the New World, suggesting the migration of the family from England to colonies in America.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, individuals with the surname Willsey continued to leave their mark, particularly in the United States. Percival Willsey, born in 1790, became a notable figure in early American politics, serving in state governance and contributing to the civic development of his community.

Historical records also show that John Willsey, born in 1834, was a distinguished soldier during the American Civil War, receiving commendations for his bravery and service.

Mary Ann Willsey, born 1858, made significant contributions to educational reforms, advocating for improved schooling systems in the late 19th century.

The surname Willsey, through its various spelling and forms, offers rich historical significance, pointing to English roots and the evolution of language and societal contributions of the bearers of this name over centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willsey

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

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

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

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