Where does “Wilby” come from?
Wilby (English) comes from Old Norse bý, from Proto-Germanic biją, from Proto-Germanic bijǭ, from Proto-Indo-European bʰey- — bee.
Wilby (English): A placename
Ancestry of “Wilby”, step by step
Wilby traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Old Norse bý
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old Norse | bý | bee |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | biją | — |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | bijǭ | bee |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰey- | bee |
via Old English bēag
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old English | bēag | a ring, bracelet, collar, garland, crown,... |
| 2 | Proto-West Germanic | *baug | ring, bracelet |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | baugaz | a bend; bow |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰewgʰ- | to bend; curve, arch |