Summary

The surname Willard is of English origin and dates back to the medieval times. It is derived from the Old English personal name 'Wilheard', which means 'resolute protector'. The name has a rich history that can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Willard family spread across different regions and played significant roles in society.
There are
21352
Willards in the USA
Willard is the
1690th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Willard

FrancesE.

Frances E. Willard was an American educator, temperance reformer, and women's suffragist. She was the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) from 1879 until her death in 1898.

SidneyWillard

Sidney Willard was an American mathematician and educator. He served as the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard College from 1807 to 1846.

EmmaWillard

Emma Willard was an American women's rights advocate and educator. She founded the first women's seminary in the United States, the Troy Female Seminary.

FrancesWillard

Frances Willard was an English cricketer who played for Kent and Surrey between 1850 and 1855.

JosephWillard

Joseph Willard was an American politician and jurist. He served as the president of Harvard College from 1781 to 1804 and was a member of the United States House of Representatives.

ElijahWillard

Elijah Willard was an American politician and lawyer. He served as the Attorney General of New York from 1791 to 1793.

EdgarWillard

Edgar Willard was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Michigan and later coached at the University of Texas.

MabelWillard

Mabel Willard was a British actress best known for her role in the film 'The London Nobody Knows.'

RobertWillard

Robert Willard is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command from 2009 to 2012.

JessicaWillard

Jessica Willard is an American boxer who held the WBC Women's Heavyweight title from 2016 to 2017.

Willard Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Willard' is of English origin and is derived from the Old English personal name 'Wilheard', which means 'resolute protector'. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it originated as a way to identify the descendants of a specific person.
Geographic DistributionThe name 'Willard' is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and California.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Willard' include 'Wyllard' and 'Wilward'.
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Willard' has been carried by immigrants to various countries, particularly during periods of English colonization and immigration to America.