Wills Family

Wills is a rare surname in the British Isles.

"This interesting name has two possible meanings, the first being that it is a patronymic form of the medieval name "Will", itself a diminutive of "William", which is of German origin. The accession of William the Conqueror to the throne in 1066 produced a wave of derivative names as a form of homage elevating this personal name to the position of highest popularity. In its present form it means son of William, which is itself composed of the Germanic elements "wil", will and "helm", protection. Alternatively, it could be a topographical name for someone who lived by a spring or a stream, from the West Saxon "wiell(a)" and the Olde English pre 7th Century "well(a)", Middle English "will". ... The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walt Wille, which was dated 1207, in the "Curia Rolls of Norfolk", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216." - The Internet Surname Database

Will of John Wellys, Sittingbourne, 1475

12 April 1475 - Buried in the churchyard. High altar 5/- and to the reparation of the church where most necessary 20/-. Feoffes :- Thomas Barming, Richard Faucon. Son John two weys of tallow one of the summer tallow the other of winter. Dpm. Henry Pesok vica of Bakchild [1463-89] may be overseer and have 6-8d. Wife ALice all my tenemnets in Sidingborn and to her heirs for ever, keeping one Obit in Bredgare church of 6-8d for nine years, for the soul of Dom Richard Godyn formerly of Bredgare. Residue to wife Alice mu Ex’pr. [Probate 15 Sept. 1475]

IWADE 1517

Thomas Wellys was one of four clerks that sold thirty-three and a half acres in Iwade, 4 miles north of Borden

Will of Thomas Wells, Sittingbourne, 1536

Buried in the churchyard. High altar 6d. To the great Bell of the church 3-4 d. Wife Anys [=Agnes] all my moveables, half the cattle at Tonge parisg or in Citingborn both sheep and bullocks, half the corn growing: the other half to son ALexander. Wife two tenements in Sittingborn the new and old, and a messuage adjoining for her life, then to son Alexander and his heirs for ever. Wife have for life a piece of pasture in Morston, then to Alexander; a;so three acres in Baxchild called Little Cockswalls for life, then to ALexander. Son Alexander 4 1/2 acres and two acres in Bosums, the wood ground in Wormesell, a croft with house in East Sitingboirn, and £4 of Rowland’s debt that Mr Fowlis owes me. EX’or Wife Anys. Resideu to son Alexander to pay my debts. Witnesses: - Lawrence Bennet, Edward Elys, Martin Baker, John the parish clerk. [Probate 23 January 1536-37]

Parish Register, St James The Baptist, Bredgar (4 miles from Stockbury)

Apr 22 1585 - Anne Wells married John Wooten

July 28 1600 - Mathew Wills m Alse Batchelor in Bredgar July 28 1600