The Whillans DNA Project welcomes all participants (particularly if you have a Whillans homonym such as Wealleans, Wheelands, Whellens, Whillance, Whillans, Whillins, Whillas, Willans).



These surnames derive from the Borders region of Scotland & England. Whillans comes from Roxburghshire, Whillas comes from Berwickshire just to its north-east, Wealleans comes from just over the Borders in Northumberland, and Willans from Yorkshire.



Our project commenced in 2007, and its purpose has been to prove &/or disprove the suspected link between these surnames.



Participating is an opportunity to uncover information not provided in the paper records, which will help with your family history research. As two examples, we have shown that one line of Wealleans in Northumberland is derived from Whillans of Roxburghshire (thankfully supported by one monumental inscription), and Whellens is likewise derived from Whillans of Roxburghshire (though relevant paperwork is currently unlocated).



The surnames in this DNA Project are researched as part of the Whillans One-Name Study; information on this Study can be found at [http://www.www.one-name.org/profiles/whillans.htmls