English (also Scottish and Irish) patronymic from the Middle English personal name Will plus -son. Will was a common medieval short form of William and other names beginning with Wil-, from a Germanic element meaning 'will, desire'. First recorded as Willeson in England (1324) and Wulson in Scotland (1405).
Spellings and related forms: Willson, Willeson, Wulson, Williamson, Wilkinson.
Wilson means "son of Will". The compass stands for will and sense of direction.
Most surnames have no single "family crest". In heraldry, a coat of arms belonged to one person and passed down one line of descent. Sites that sell "the Wilson coat of arms" usually show the arms of one historic family that shared the name. Ours is different on purpose: an original design built from what the name means, which any Wilson can own honestly.
Blankets: soft velveteen plush (100% polyester), printed on one side; may run up to 3 in. short of the listed size. Rugs: polyester chenille with hemmed edges and a coated backing, for indoor use. Both are printed in the USA (Georgia and North Carolina).
Name meanings come from the sources above, checked 2026-10. Where scholars disagree, we say so.