UK surname
A surname derived from a Dutch or German word meaning "to will" or "to desire".
In the 1881 census there were 57 people recorded with the Willen surname, ranking it #25,575 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #25,575 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Hampton-in-Arden, St James Clerkenwell and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Willen is 209 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.0%.
1881 census count
57
Ranked #25,575
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
209 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Willen surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Willen surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 71 | #20,875 |
| 1861 | historical | 209 | #11,596 |
| 1881 | historical | 57 | #25,575 |
| 1891 | historical | 112 | #22,291 |
| 1901 | historical | 32 | #30,501 |
| 1911 | historical | 26 | #30,547 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 5 | #37,823 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 7 | #37,735 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 8 | #37,769 |
| 2011 | modern | 8 | #37,737 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 9 | #37,679 |
| 2015 | modern | 9 | #37,684 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Hampton-in-Arden, St James Clerkenwell, Manchester, Maidstone, Linton, Loddington and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton-in-Arden | Warwickshire |
| 2 | St James Clerkenwell | London (Central Districts) |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Maidstone, Linton, Loddington | Kent |
| 5 | St Mary Islington | London (North Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Willen surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Willen, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Willen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Willen household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Willen is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Willen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Willen, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Willen is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is primarily associated with the area of Buckinghamshire, specifically the village of Willen, which is now part of the modern town of Milton Keynes. The name is derived from the Old English elements "wilig," meaning willow tree, and "hamm," which translates to a water meadow or a piece of land near water. This suggests that the surname originally described someone who lived near a willow tree in a wetland area.
The earliest recorded instances of the Willen surname appear in historical documents from the 12th and 13th centuries. For example, the Poll Tax Records of 1377 list individuals bearing the surname, indicating its usage and presence in medieval England. One prominent early record is Willelmus de Willen, who is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1190. This individual is likely linked to the geographic location of Willen, reinforcing the toponymic nature of the surname.
Throughout history, the name Willen has been associated with various notable individuals. Sir John de Willen, born around 1240, was a knight who fought during the Second Barons' War and was known for his loyalty to the crown. Another significant figure is William Willen, a 15th-century merchant who played a vital role in the wool trade, one of the primary economic activities of medieval England. He was born in 1425 and became known for his philanthropic work, founding a chapel in his hometown.
In the 16th century, records indicate a Henry Willen, born in 1532, who was a landholder and a minor noble in the region of Buckinghamshire. His contributions to agricultural advancements were well-documented during the early Elizabethan era. By the 17th century, the name Willen appears in legal documents and wills, such as the last will and testament of Thomas Willen, a yeoman farmer from Norfolk, born in 1607. His will, dated 1650, provides insight into the familial structures and landholdings of the period.
Among the notable people bearing the surname in more recent centuries is Anne Willen, born in 1758, known for her literary contributions and correspondence with prominent figures of her time. Her letters and journals have been preserved in several academic libraries, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural milieu of 18th-century England.
In conclusion, the surname Willen is deeply rooted in the English landscape, with its earliest origins tied to a specific geographic location. Its evolution can be traced through various historical records and manuscripts, reflecting the lives and contributions of individuals who carried the name through the centuries. From knights and merchants to farmers and literary figures, the name Willen embodies a rich historical tapestry.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Willen surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 16 Willens recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.38x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 16 | 2.38x |
| Norfolk | 13 | 14.95x |
| Surrey | 8 | 2.90x |
| Sussex | 6 | 6.29x |
| Middlesex | 5 | 0.88x |
| Warwickshire | 4 | 2.80x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 1.73x |
| Hertfordshire | 2 | 5.13x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.85x |
| Gloucestershire | 1 | 0.90x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Runham in Norfolk leads with 7 Willens recorded in 1881 and an index of 4117.65x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Runham | 7 | 4117.65x |
| Burnham Sutton Cum Burnham | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Manchester | 6 | 19.88x |
| Salford | 5 | 25.33x |
| Kirdford | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Nuneaton | 4 | 242.42x |
| Wandsworth | 4 | 73.53x |
| Barrow In Furness | 3 | 32.86x |
| Bishop Stortford | 2 | 153.85x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 5.54x |
| Southwark St George Martyr | 2 | 17.57x |
| St George Hanover | 2 | 27.10x |
| Aughton | 1 | 151.52x |
| Brighton | 1 | 5.20x |
| Castleton | 1 | 14.93x |
| Chelsea London | 1 | 5.87x |
| Hastings St Mary | 1 | 42.19x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 32.89x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.82x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.18x |
| Leckhampton | 1 | 147.06x |
| Topsham | 1 | 178.57x |
| Widley | 1 | 476.19x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Willen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Willen surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Willen households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 12 |
| Servant At Home | 2 |
| Servant Out | 2 |
| Shirt Cutter | 2 |
| Shoe Maker | 2 |
| Blacksmith Employs 1 Man 1 Boy | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Engine Driver (Rly) | 1 |
| Farmer 145 Acres | 1 |
| Farmer Wife | 1 |
| Footman | 1 |
| Gardener (7/5) | 1 |
| General (Domestic Serv) | 1 |
| General Laborer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Genl Servant | 1 |
| Governess (Priv) | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Housemaid (Dom) | 1 |
| Jeweller | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Mechanic (Artizand) | 1 |
| No Occupation | 1 |
| Painter | 1 |
| School Teacher | 1 |
| Serv Dom | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Shoe Maker Wife | 1 |
| Son | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 57 people were recorded with the Willen surname. That placed it at #25,575 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Willen a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname derived from a Dutch or German word meaning "to will" or "to desire".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Willen bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.