Willison
Willison is a surname of English and Scottish origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a personal name, in this case, William. The suffix "-son" signifies "son of." Therefore, Willison translates to "son of William."
Origin and History
The name William has Norman origins, brought to England during the Norman Conquest of 1066. It quickly became a popular given name, leading to the development of various surnames based on it, including Willison, Williamson, and Willis.
The earliest records of the Willison surname appear in Scotland and England, with variations in spelling common due to regional dialects and the evolving nature of written language.
Distribution and Variants
The surname Willison can be found primarily in English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variants of the name include:
- Willis
- Williamson
- Willson
- Willeson
Notable People
Numerous individuals with the surname Willison have made contributions in various fields. Examples include:
- Individuals in academia
- Business leaders
- Artists and writers
(Specific examples would require further research to ensure accuracy and relevance to an encyclopedia entry.)
See Also
- William
- Williamson
- Patronymic surname