Willett (name)

Willett is a surname of English and French origin, and also a given name, less commonly used.

Origin and Meaning:

The surname Willett is derived from a diminutive of the given name William. William is a Germanic name composed of the elements "wil" (desire, will) and "helm" (helmet, protection). Thus, Willett essentially means "little William" or "son of William." It is also believed to derive from the Norman French given name Wilet.

Distribution:

The surname Willett is found predominantly in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Notable People with the Surname Willett:

• Danny Willett: A professional golfer from England, who won the 2016 Masters Tournament.
• William Willett: A British builder and promoter of British Summer Time (Daylight Saving Time).

Given Name Usage:

While primarily a surname, Willett is occasionally used as a given name, often for boys. Its usage as a given name is relatively rare.

Variations:

Variations of the surname Willett include Willet, Willets, and Willette.