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 Willy family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Willy Family History

Willy Surname Meaning

English: variant of Willey. Americanized form of German Willi.

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 Willy family from?

You can see how Willy families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Willy family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Willy families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 130 Willy families living in London. This was about 25% of all the recorded Willy's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Willy families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Willy 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 Willy ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Agricultural Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Willy. 14% of Willy men worked as an Agricultural Labourer and 69% of Willy women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Willy were Carpenter and Housewife.

View Census Data for Willy | 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

  • Agricultural Labourer
    14%
  • Farmer
    14%
  • Plasterer
    10%
  • Carpenter
    10%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    69%
  • Private Means
    4%
  • Housekeeper
    4%
  • Housewife
    4%

What Willy family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 21,000 census records available for the last name Willy. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Willy census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Willy

Passenger Lists

There are 2,000 immigration records available for the last name Willy. 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 Willy immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 8,000 military records available for the last name Willy. For the veterans among your Willy ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Willy military records

You've only scratched the surface of Willy family history

Discover More

What is the average Willy lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2004, in the United States, Willy life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1981, and highest in 1971. The average life expectancy for Willy in 1963 was 63, and 81 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Willy

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Willy 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 Willy family tree

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