This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Willan family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Willan Family History

Willan Surname Meaning

English (northern): of Norman origin from the Middle English and Old French personal name Willan (from ancient Germanic Wiland, a variant of the name seen in Wieland). Sometimes perhaps from Willin as a diminutive of Will, a pet form of William.

German: possibly a variant of Wielan (see Wieland). This surname is very rare in Germany.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Willan family from?

You can see how Willan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Willan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Willan families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 320 Willan families living in Lancashire. This was about 37% of all the recorded Willan's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Willan families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Willan surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Willan ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Cotton Weaver and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Willan. 12% of Willan men worked as a Cotton Weaver and 60% of Willan women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Willan were Private Means and Household Duties.

View Census Data for Willan | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Cotton Weaver
    12%
  • Printer Monotype Operator
    8%
  • Chauffeur
    8%
  • Private Means
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    60%
  • Private Means
    7%
  • Cotton Weaver
    4%
  • Household Duties
    3%

What Willan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 17,000 census records available for the last name Willan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Willan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Willan

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Willan. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Willan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 1,000 military records available for the last name Willan. For the veterans among your Willan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Willan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Willan family history

Discover More

What is the average Willan lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Willan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1960, and highest in 1998. The average life expectancy for Willan in 1960 was 40, and 61 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Willan

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Willan ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Willan family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial