Willoughby Name Study

Profile managers: Lukas Murphy [send private message] and One Name Studies WikiTree [send private message]

About the Project

Note: This is a New One Name Study and is a work in Progress started 6 Sep 2023

The Willoughby Name Study project serves as a collaborative platform to collect information on the Willoughby name. The hope is that other researchers like you will join the study to help make it a valuable reference point for other genealogists who are researching or have an interest in the Willoughby name.

As a One Name Study, this project is not limited to persons who are related biologically. Individual studies can be used to branch out the research into specific methods and areas of interest, such as geographically (England Willoughby's), by time period (18th Century Willoughby's), or by topic (Willoughby DNA, Willoughby Occupations, Willoughby Statistics). These studies may also include a number of family branches which have no immediate link with each other. Some researchers may even be motivated to go beyond the profile identification and research stage to compile fully sourced, single-family histories of some of the families they discover through this name study project.

Also see the related surnames and surname variants.

How to Join

To join the Willoughby Name Study, first start out by browsing our current research pages to see if there is a specific study ongoing that fits your interests. If so, feel free to add your name to the Membership list below, post an introduction comment on the specific team page, and then dive right in!

If a research page does not yet exist for your particular area of interest, please contact the Name Study Coordinator: Lukas Murphy for assistance.

... ... ... is a member of the Willoughby Name Study Project.

Once you are ready to go, you can also show your project affiliation with the ONS Member Sticker:

Project Template

To add the Willoughby Project Template, copy and paste the following code onto a profile.

{{One Name Study
| name = Willoughby
| category = Willoughby Name Study
}}

This profile is part of the Willoughby Name Study.

To add a sticker to any Willoughby profile that denotes that profile is a part of the Willoughby Name Study please copy and paste this just below the biography heading. {{One Name Study|name=Willoughby}}

Name Meaning

From Surnames.com. The Willoughby surname has its origin in the place-name Willoughby found in various counties – Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Warwickshire – in the English Midlands.

The root of the name is the Old English word willig meaning “willow” plus byr a settlement or homestead. The name appeared as Wilgebiin the Domesday Book of 1086.

Distribution

According the ForeBears website there are 34,563 people with the surname of Willoughby in 2014. The countries with the highest number are United States 21,587; England 5,565; Australia 3,198; Canada 1,537 and South Africa 590.

In 1880/81 there were 2,457 in the United States and 2,553 in England. It seems that the Willoughby family in the United States was much more prolific.

Research Pages

Here are some of the current research pages included in the study. I'll be working on them, and could use your help!

• Matt Willoughby Cemetery, Willoughby Town, Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States
• Willoughby Tax List, Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States
• Early South Australian Willoughby Arrivals
• Barons Willoughby de Broke
• Note for Lukas Patrick Murphy Create a space page for Willoughby Town, Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States.

Membership

• Lukas Patrick Murphy
• Chris Willoughby (also administrator of the Willoughby DNA project at FamilyTreeDNA)

Related Surnames and Surname Variants

• Willoby

Willoughby DNA Research

The Willoughby Surname Project at FamilyTreeDNA aims to find the various genetic groups that make up the wider Willoughby family. It is open to all those interested in Willoughby genealogy:

• It is free to join
• FamilyTreeDNA allows you to upload your AncestryDNA or MyHeritageDNA data files and match with others in the FamilyTreeDNA database — again, this is free (a one-time small cost will enable more advanced tools)

FamilyTreeDNA has three types of DNA analysis available:

• Autosomal — this is what Ancestry and MyHeritage, etc, offer. It looks at all your chromosomes and allows matching anywhere on your tree. The downside is that it fades quickly with the generations (don't expect much more than third cousin matches, in reality)
• Y-DNA - follows the male line only, and therefore can be taken only by those born with a Y chromosome. Allows deep-time matching on the male line (father to father to father to father, etc). Given that surnames, in Western culture, have followed the male line this should get you back to the origins of surnames and beyond.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) - follows the female line. Anyone can take it. Allows deep-time matching of the female line (mother to mother to mother to mother, etc).

The DNA Results page gives you links to the Y-DNA and mtDNA results of the project. At the time of writing, we have 86 members: of which 33 have publicly taken the Y-DNA test, and 27 the mtDNA test. You can choose whether you appear in the public results, or just within the group.

Unfortunately we don't have enough members, yet, to clearly define the origins of each WIlloughby family group (we're a diverse bunch). The Irish group descended from George Willoughby (1751-1800) is, at this date, the most well defined.

A family tree generated from Y DNA data.

We have a lot of members that don't match anyone else in the group - so I'd encourage everyone to join and upload any DNA tests they might have taken.

If you need assistance, contact Chris Willoughby

In the Activity Feed I have posted various trees built from the genetic distances between members (for Autosomal and Y-DNA), these show some clustering — but are currently limited by the lack of members.

1. Arrean Reffitt born 1929 has the earliest Willoughby DNA test for the Kentucky Willoughby. She has 3 Willoughby lines so naturally she has more Willoughby DNA than any other part of her family.

Links between the DNA Project and WikiTree will be updated at the following free space page: Willoughby DNA Results

I'm slowly putting together a DNA Page at: Chris' DNA Page to answer most frequently asked questions, but it will take some time.

Willoughby Resources

• The Willoughby's of Illogan and Redruth - I believe this to be written by Prof James Wilkinson, Victoria, Australia. It is currently hosted at his website and at studylib. We should get permission to host it here.
• Notes on William Charles (Charlie) Willoughby - a biography of William Charles Willoughby (1857-1938) hosted at https://www.jimandhelen.com/William_Charles_Willoughby.pdf. Also further information at https://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/647455.html
• From Camelot To Kernow: The Wanderings of the Willoughby Family by Rupert Willoughby. Details the descendants of Thomas Willoughby (abt.1621-abt.1691). Available by sending Rupert an email — details on http://www.rupertwilloughby.co.uk/cuttings/the-willoughby-family-of-colchester-illogan-and-plymouth/. Member Chris Willoughby has a copy.
• "Descendants of Benjamin Jefferson Willoughby 1811/1992" by Mildred Clay Napier Morton of Stanton, Kentucky. Out of print. Member Lukas Patrick Murphy has a copy in his home library.
• "The Willoughby Family" by Lukas Patrick Murphy, 1996, Wilmington, Ohio, United States. The book focuses on the descendants of William Willoughby and Phebe Hutson of Montgomery County, Kentucky, United States. Out of print. Member Lukas Patrick Murphy has a copy in his home library.

Willoughby Notables

Note: Work up this list from wikipedia and add links to wikitree profiles

1. Althea Willoughby (1904–1982), British artist
2. Barrett Willoughby (1901–1959), American writer
3. Bart Willoughby (born 1960), Pitjantjatjara (Indigenous Australian) musician. See wikipedia
4. Benjamin Willoughby (1855–1940), Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court
5. Bill Willoughby (born 1957), American professional basketball player
6. Charl Willoughby (born 1974), South African cricketer
7. Charles A. Willoughby (1892–1972), American major general
8. Claude Willoughby (1898–1973), American baseball player
9. Francis Willoughby (1547–1596), industrialist and coalowner
10. Francis Willoughby (1613–1671), deputy governor of Massachusetts
11. Francis Willoughby (1635-1672) English ornithologist and ichthyologist
12. Francis Willoughby, 2nd Baron Middleton (1692–1758), Old Etonian
13. Francis Willoughby, 3rd Baron Middleton (1726–1774), English nobleman
14. Francis Willoughby, 5th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1605–1666), Barbadian politician
15. George Willoughby (activist) (1914–2010), American Quaker activist
16. Sir George Willoughby (MP) (c. 1635–1695), English MP for Marlborough, 1685–1695
17. George Willoughby, 7th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1638–1674), English peer
18. George Willoughby, 17th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1748/9–1779), English peer
19. George Dobson Percival Willoughby (East India Company officer) (1828–1857), British soldier in India
20. George Willoughby (theatre entrepreneur) (1869–1951), English theatre entrepreneur
21. George W. Willoughby, (1913-1977), Norwegian film producer
22. Sir Henry Willoughby (1451-1528)
23. Sir Henry Willoughby, 1st Baronet (1579–1649), see Sir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet
24. Henry Willoughby, 4th Baron Willoughby of Parham (c. 1603–1618)
25. Henry Willoughby (governor) (1640–1669), governor of Antigua and Barbados
26. Henry Willoughby, 16th Baron Willoughby of Parham (d. 1775)
27. Henry Willoughby, 5th Baron Middleton (1726–1800)
28. Henry Willoughby, 6th Baron Middleton (1761–1835)
29. Henry Willoughby (MP) (1780–1849), represented Newark (UK Parliament constituency)
30. Sir Henry Willoughby, 3rd Baronet (1796–1865)
31. Henry Willoughby, 8th Baron Middleton (1817–1877)
32. Henry Willobie, also written 'Willoughby' (1575-1596)
33. Holly Willoughby (born 1981), English television presenter. See Wikipedia
34. Hugh de Willoughby, English medieval theologian and university chancellor
35. Hugh Willoughby, 12th Baron Willoughby of Parham (died 1712), English peer
36. Hugh Willoughby, 15th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1714–1765), English nobleman and peer
37. Hugh Willoughby (scientist), American atmospheric and hydro spheric scientist
38. Hugh L. Willoughby (1856–1939), early designer and builder of seaplanes
39. John Willoughby, 9th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1643–1678), English peer of the House of Lords
40. John Willoughby, 8th Baron Willoughby of Parham (1669–1678), English peer of the House of Lords
41. Sir John Pollard Willoughby, 4th Baronet (1799–1866), British Member of Parliament for Leominster
42. Sir John Christopher Willoughby, 5th Baronet (1859–1918), Willoughby baronet, British army officer, Justice of the Peace
43. John Henry Charles Willoughby (1861–1940), Canadian physician and politician in Saskatchewan
44. John Willoughby (British Army officer) (1913–1991), British general
45. Kim Willoughby (born 1980), American volleyball player. See Wikipedia
46. Leonard Ashley Willoughby (1885–1977), British scholar of German literature
47. Lillian Willoughby (1916–2009), American peace activist
48. L. Jean Willoughby (1925–2015), American politician
49. ((Nicola willoughby )) born 1981- miss uk 1999
50. Marlene Willoughby (born 1948), American pornographic actress. See Wikipedia
51. Meta Fust Willoughby (1887-1937) American composer who used the pseudonym Meta Schumann
52. Nesbit Willoughby (1777–1849), British Royal Navy rear admiral
53. Percival Willoughby (died 1643), MP for Nottinghamshire and businessman
54. [| Westel Willoughby Jr.] (1769–1844), American politician
55. Westel W. Willoughby (1867–1945), American political theorist, twin brother of William F. Willoughby
56. William Willoughby, 11th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (1482–1526), father of Katherine Willoughby and the largest landowner in Lincolnshire, England
57. William Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby of Parham (c. 1515–1570), English baron and nephew of the above
58. William Willoughby (c.1566-1615), MP for Nottingham
59. William Willoughby, 3rd Baron Willoughby of Parham (1584–1617), English peer
60. William Willoughby, 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham (c. 1616–1673), English landowner and politician
61. William Willoughby, 5th Baron Willoughby de Eresby (c. 1370–1409), English baron
62. William Arnson Willoughby (1844–1908), Ontario physician and political figure
63. [Willoughby-4666 William F. Willoughby] (1867–1960), author of public administration texts
64. Bill Willoughby (born 1957), American former basketball player. See Wikipedia
65. Bill Willoughby, American conservationist

Willoughby Place Names

Note: work up this list from wikipedia adding information and links

Antigua

1. Willoughby Bay (Antigua), on the southeast coast of Antigua

Australia

1. Willoughby, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney
2. Willoughby Girls High School
3. City of Willoughby, a local government area of New South Wales
4. Electoral district of Willoughby, New South Wales
5. Parish of Willoughby, Cumberland, New South Wales
6. Willoughby, South Australia, a locality on Kangaroo Island
7. Cape Willoughby, a headland in South Australia

Canada

1. Willoughby, Langley, British Columbia, a community within the Township of Langley
2. Willoughby Township, Ontario

United Kingdom

1. Willoughby, Lincolnshire, a village
2. Willoughby railway station
3. Willoughby on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire
4. Willoughby, Warwickshire, a village and civil parish
5. Willoughby Waterleys, Leicestershire

United States

1. Willoughby Town, Montgomery County, Kentucky AKA Willoughby Nation
2. Matt-Willoughby Cemetery, Montgomery County, Kentucky
3. Martin Willoughby Cemetery, Montgomery County, Kentucky
4. Ohio, a city in Lake County, and suburb of Cleveland.
5. Willoughby Memorial Gardens, a cemetery in Willoughby, Ohio, United States
6. Willoughby, Albemarle County, Virginia, an unincorporated community
7. Willoughby Park, Friendship Heights, Washington, D.C.
8. Willoughby Run, a waterway in Adams County, Pennsylvania
9. Willoughby Spit, a peninsula in Norfolk, Virginia
10. Willoughby State Forest, Vermont
11. Lake Willoughby, Westmore, Vermont

Elsewhere

1. Willoughby's Land, elusive islands thought to be north of the Barents Sea

Hydronyms

1. Willoughby River, Vermont, United States

Fiction

1. Willoughby (Looney Tunes), an animated character from Looney Tunes
2. Inspector Willoughby, an animated character from The Woody Woodpecker Show
3. John Willoughby, one of the main characters in Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility
4. The title character of the short-lived 1999 British sitcom Dr Willoughby
5. Willoughby, Texas, a fictional town featured in Revolution (TV series)
6. "A Stop at Willoughby", an episode from the first season of The Twilight Zone, which features a town called Willoughby
7. A character in the novel Evelina by Fanny Burney
8. A character in Celestina (novel) by Charlotte Smith
9. The Willoughbys, a 2020 comedy film
10. Violet Willoughby, the main character in the novel Haunting Violet

English/British titles

1. Baron Willoughby de Broke, a barony by writ in the peerage of England since 1491
2. Baron Willoughby de Eresby, a barony by writ in the peerage of England, dating to 1313
3. Baron Willoughby of Parham, a title in the peerage of England from 1547 until 1779

Willoughby baronets, four titles

Other uses

1. USS Willoughby, the name of more than one United States Navy ship
2. Willoughby Delta 8, a twin-engined aerodynamic test bed for a proposed flying wing airliner

See also Willoughby East, New South Wales, Australia, a suburb of Sydney Willoughby on the Wolds, Nottinghamshire, England Willoughby Waterleys, Leicestershire, England Willoughby Hills, Ohio, U.S.