Surname Willburn - Meaning and Origin
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Willburn: What does the surname Willburn mean?
The last name Willburn is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a toponymic surname. A toponymic surname is one that is derived from the name of a place. Willburn likely originated as an identifying name for someone who came from one of the places named 'Willburn' or 'Willbourne' in one of the Shires of England. The locations are likely derived from the personal name " Willa", combined with the Old English word "bourn", meaning brook or stream.
Willburn is found in many countries, and is common in the United States. In America, the spelling is often anglicized, with the 'b' and 'e' combined into a single 'b', becoming 'Willburn'. Early records in America include the marriage of William and Jane Wilburn in Boston in 1733 and the christening of Peter Willburn in Pennsylvania in 1738.
Today, Willburn is an uncommon surname, with less than 1000 people holding the name in the United States. Those who carry the name descend from an illustrious line of family members who were strong, resilient people who set the tone and paved the way for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWillburn: Where does the name Willburn come from?
The last name Willburn is most commonly found in the United States today. It generally originates from Scotland, and its meaning is derived from "wild-burn," meaning a stream in a wild area. This surname is most prevalently found in the southeastern United States, with a concentration of holders in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Outside of the United States, Willburn is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and other countries with British ties, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Willburn is a fairly common name in the United States, with approximately 8,000 people sharing this name. The name has been throughout the southeastern US for generations, with records of the Willburns family in the area tracing back as far as the 1700s. Many of the current holders of the last name are descendants of the original settlers from Scotland.
Willburns are found in all walks of life today. Many Willburns are prominent in the field of politics, entertainment, business, and academics. In addition, many others have proudly served in the armed forces and in law enforcement at various points throughout history.
No matter what branch of life they find themselves in, those who bear the Willburn name will carry on the legacy of their ancestors, scotch-Irish settlers who blazed a trail in a new land.
Variations of the surname Willburn
The surname Willburn has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The following are some of the most common variations:
Willborn: This spelling of the Willburn surname is a variation of the Old English surname 'Willburn'. This may have derived from 'willbern', which means 'willful' or 'resolute'. It likely originated from a place-name referencing a spring or river or from a family living near one of these water sources.
Willburne: This version of the Willburn surname is another variation of the old English name 'Willburn'. It likely derives to the same origin of its other variations and may have had the same initial meaning.
Wylbern: This spelling of the Willburn surname is an alternative spelling of the old English name 'Willburn'. It is believed to have had the same meaning of 'willful' or 'resolute' and to have been derived from a place-name referencing a spring or river or from a family living near one of these water sources.
Wellborn: This variant of the Willburn surname is an alternative spelling of the old English name 'Willburn'. It is thought to have the same meanings as its other variations and to have come from a place-name referencing a spring or river, or from a family living near one of these water sources.
Willbor: This version of the Willburn surname is another variation of the old English name 'Willburn'. It is believed to have derived to the same origin, carrying the same original meaning of 'willful' or 'resolute'.
Wilbern: This spelling of the Willburn surname is another variation of the old English name 'Willburn'. Like it's other variations, it is thought to have had the same initial meaning of 'willful' or 'resolute' and to have originated from a place-name referencing a spring or river or from a family living near one of these water sources.
Famous people with the name Willburn
- Christina Willburn: an American actress.
- Rebecca Willburn: an American producer and actress.
- Bill Willburn: an American basketball player who has helped lead his teams to nine NBA championships.
- Barbara Willburn: a former Canadian diplomat who served as Special Assistant to the Ambassador of Canada to the United States.
- John Willburn: a former justice on the Supreme Court of Missouri.
- Michael Willburn: a former NASCAR driver.
- Allen Willburn: an American music producer, photographer, and composer.
- Richard Willburn: an American composer, producer, and film scorer.
- Ashley Willburn: an American country music singer-songwriter.
- Elzie Willburn: an American architect.