Where does “Willet” come from?

Willet is an English word of unknown origin whose earliest meaning and etymological derivation remain unestablished.

Willet (English): Tringa semipalmata (or formerly Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), a large shorebird in the family Scolopacidae

Definitions

  1. Tringa semipalmata (or formerly Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), a large shorebird in the family Scolopacidae

Ancestry of “Willet”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWillett—
2EnglishWillA weak-side linebacker
3Englishwilliamradiotelephony clear-code word for the letter W
4Middle EnglishWilliam—
5Anglo-NormanWillame—
6Old High GermanWillahelmWilliam
7Old High Germanhelmhelmet
8Proto-West Germanichelmhelmet
9Proto-Germanichelmazhelmet
10Proto-Germanichalmazhalm; stem; stalk; straw; hay
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱolh₂mosstalk
12Proto-Indo-Europeanḱelh₂-to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱelh₂- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱolh₂mos →Every word from Proto-Germanic halmaz →