The Wills surname has been traced back more than 900 years to ancient times with the name first found on record in Saltash, Cornwall, England. From the beginning of the 11th century the surname of Wills along with some other influential families were somewhat quite wealthy. Historians have found that the Wills’s owned land and estates around various parts of England during that time.
Recorded in many spellings including Willas, Wiles, Willes, Wills, Willys, Williss, Willos and Wileson, this is an English patronymic surname. It is however arguably of early Germanic or Anglo-Saxon pre 7th century origins deriving from the popular personal name William, composed of the elements "wil" meaning will or desire, and "helm", a helmet or protector. This name was particularly popular with the Norman-French and became so in both England and to a lesser extent, Scotland, after the 1066 conquest. Robertus filius Willelmi is recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1086, whilst amongst the early hereditary recordings is that of Richard Willam in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1275. The patronymic forms are first recorded slightly later with Johannes Willeson and Adam Wylis appearing in the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire in 1379. Early examples of the name recording taken from surviving church registers in the diocese of Greater London include: John Willys at St Stephans, Coleman Street, on December 6th 1549, William Willes, a christening witness at Christchurch Greyfriars, on April 6th 1565, the marriage of Alexander Willis and Jane Smallwood on October 1st 1598, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney, and John Willas who marrieed Ann Blows at St Giles Cripplegate, on August 28th 1838. An interesting namebearer, recorded in the "Dictionary of National Biography", was Francis Willis (1718 - 1807), a physician who attended King George 111rd in his first attack of madness in 1788, and who became popular at court.
Thomas Wills married Elizabeth Hawkings
This famous surname recorded in the modern spellings of Hawkings, Hawkyens, Hawking, Hawken, Hawkin, and Hawkins.Amongst the long list of British naval heroes, the names of Sir John Hawkins and Lord Hawkins (no relation), the conquerors with Sir Francis Drake of the 1588 Spanish Armada, stand almost supreme. The name itself, deriving from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Hafoc" meaning "Hawk", is descriptive for one who possessed that bird's ferocious instincts. The name, as a personal name without a surname is recorded in the spelling of "Havok" in the Domesday Book of 1086, compiled by William the Conqueror. In the spelling form as Hawkings, the name is a double diminutive or patronymic which translates as "the son(s) of the son (kin) of the Hawk". The surname as "Hawk" is very early, being first recorded in 1176, when Roger Havech appeared in the Pipe Rolls of Dover, Kent; as "Hawkin" the first recording is that of Roger Havekin in the Essex Rolls of 1298; and as Hawkyns, the medieval spelling, the name is recorded in the early 14th Century (see below), whilst Agnes Hawkins, who married Roger Carpinter (as spelt) at St. Peter Westcheap, London, on August 4th 1560, is an early example of the "modern" spelling. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margery Haukyns, which was dated 1327, in the "Subsidy Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire", during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377.
there sons name was Thomas Wills 1754- 1830Thomas married Elizabeth Williams
Williams surname
Recorded in various spellings including William, Williams, and Williamson, this is a surname which can be of English, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh origins. Wherever found it is ultimately Germanic, and was introduced into England and Scotland around the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Carried by four English kings, it derives from the personal name "Wilhelm" composed of the elements "wil", meaning "of strong mind", and "helm", translating literally as helmet, but in this context meaning "protection". As a patronymic the short form of "s", meaning "son of", is often added, although the name is popular particularly in Scotland in its long style of Williamson. Political correctness is not a new phenomena, and after the accession of King William 1st in 1066, the name became the most popular British personal name, and with the creation of surnames from the 12th century, an equally popular surname. The list of prominent holders of the surname is almost endless, but one of the more unusual could be said to be the famous republican Oliver Cromwell, who "reigned" in England from 1650 to 1658, and whose family were formerly called Williams. They held extensive estates in Wales, but under instructions from King Henry V111 (1510 - 1547), the family name was changed to Cromwell. Griffith Williams, (1589 -1672), was the bishop of Ossory in Ireland, and a staunch supporter of the martyrd King Charles 1st. Edward Williams, (1746 - 1826), helped to preserve the ancient Welsh language being Chief Druid and bard of Wales.
Thomas and Elizabeth Wills had a son James Williams Wills 1800-1869.
James married Elizabeth Betsy Rickard.
James is the father of Thirza Foote( born Wills)
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