Surname Willox - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Willox: What does the surname Willox mean?
The last name Willox is of Old English origin and can be a habitation name, derived from any of the places called Willoughby. These places were a combination of two Old English elements, which are “wilig” (willow tree) and “leah” (wood or clearing). It was likely that these places were named for a prominent Willow tree growing in the area, or it may have referred to a place with many Willow trees growing there. During the Middle Ages, names derived from the local landscape were very common, and so the name Willox was likely to have been a descriptive term used to distinguish one family from another.
The surname Willox could also be derived from the Middle English personal name 'Willot', which is itself derived from the Norman French nickname 'Willae' or 'Willot', which means 'a determined protector'. It is likely that this name came to England with the Normans, and as their influence spread, so did the personal name, and soon it was in use throughout England. The Willox surname may have been formed initially as a patronymic family name, referring to a son of Willot or Willae.
Today, the surname Willox is still found in England, as well as countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. While the name might have originally referred to a wooded area with many Willow trees, it has come to represent a determined protector of families descendant from its original bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisWillox: Where does the name Willox come from?
The last name Willox is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, specifically around the city of Sunderland, in Tyne & Wear, and the Scottish Borders. Within the UK, there are multiple sites that list and trace Willox families, such as FindMyPast and Genuki.
The name Willox is also found in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Due to the migration of families from the United Kingdom, members of the Willox family moved to these countries, as well as other countries in other continents, such as Africa and South America.
For those researching the Willox name, a good way to start finding out more about the family might be to look into the origins of the name. It is thought to be a derivative from the Olde English personal names Wille and Willa, which is closely related to the name William. It is believed to originate from the Germanic name Willehelm, which consists of two elements Wille (desire) and Helm (helmet/protection). This makes it a popular name in many English-speaking countries, as it implies the desire for protection and strength.
Overall, the last name Willox is relatively widespread throughout English-speaking countries, as well as in certain parts of the United Kingdom. By researching its origins, family members looking to fill in the gaps in their family history may just discover the answers they seek.
Variations of the surname Willox
The surname Willox is derived from Gaelic roots. It is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Dhuibh meaning "son of the black/dark haired servant". It is also an anglicised form of the name Ua Fhuelaigh, which translates to 'descendant of Fhuelaigh'.
Variants of Willox include MacFiell, MacFie, MacWillox, Willocks, Willoxson, Willcott, Willoughby, Willough, Wilcox, Wilcoxon, Willycox, McKillop, Williamsen, Wilkins, Willer, Wills, Willerby, Willerby and Willsky.
Spellings of Willox are Wilox, Wilcox, Wilkox and Willihox.
Surnames related to Willox include MacGiollaDhubh, Fhaolain, Ua Fhaelaigh, Ua Fhaelaighe, O'Foyle, O'Fill, O'Foele, O'Fela, O'Feil, O'Felen, O'Fell, and O'Fallon.
Willox is associated with the Clan Macfie and Clan Willox, both of which are Scottish clans whose name derived from the surname. The Clan Macfie derives its name from Mac Giolla Dhuibh, while the Clan Willox finds its roots in Ua Fhaelaigh.
The Willox surname can also be found in Ireland, particular in the Ulster Province, where it is an anglicised form of the Gaelic similar sounding "Maolaghran," which translates to "Follower of St. Maelrubha" or "Servant of the Lord."
The Willox surname can also be found in Germany and in England. In Germany, the surname is thought to derive from 'Wilhelmssohn' which means 'son of Wilhelm', while in England it is thought to be derived from 'Willacox' or 'Wilkenoc', which are anglicised forms of the Old Norman French 'Willekens' or 'Willkens'.
Regardless of its origin, the Willox surname is a unique and ancient family name, with deep roots in Gaelic cultures and traditions.
Famous people with the name Willox
- Gavin Willox: British R&B singer
- Alan Willox: Scottish former footballer
- Vic Willox: Canadian Football League (CFL) player
- Brian Willox: American professional ice hockey player
- Jere Willox: former coach of the Indiana Hoosiers women's soccer team
- Francis Willox: English professional cricketer
- Joe Willox: track and field athlete who competed in the hammer throw
- Ally Willox: Scottish professional footballer
- Sandy Willox: former Scottish international footballer
- Andrew Willox: British ice hockey player
- Sir James Willox: Governor-General of Canada
- Edward Willox: former history teacher and former British discus thrower
- Alfred Willox: English professional cricketer
- Tom Willox: former Scottish professional football player
- Abraham Willox: Canadian oil driller and rancher
- Gordon Willox: Australian former rugby league player
- Robert Willox:British rugby league player
- Bob Willox: Canadian hockey coach
- Christopher Willox: Irish professional footballer
- George Willox: former footballer who played for AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City
- Rodney Willox: Australian rugby union player
- Francis Willox: British Member of Parliament in the eighteenth century
- David Willox: British former journalist and sports administrator
- John Willox: former Scottish footballer
- Rob Willox: British track and field athlete