Willis surname meaning

Willis is an English patronymic from William, often explained as a family name meaning “son or descendant of William.” The -is ending reflects a surname form built from the personal name rather than a separate English word. William is a Germanic name traditionally associated with will and protection, but that compound meaning belongs to the given name. Wills, Willys, Willson, and similar spellings may occur beside Willis without proving a shared origin. Parent’s name is the direct catalog type, and confidence is high for the principal English explanation. Since William was widespread, Willis could have formed independently in multiple regions before spreading through migration.