Son of Will; resolute protector
Willson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Will.' The root name Will is a diminutive of William, which combines the Germanic elements 'wil' (desire or will) and 'helm' (helmet or protection).
Less common today
Willson isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #5,440 in 1990.
Major League Baseball catcher
Protagonist of the novel The Wedding · The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
