The English surname Williard is a patronymic name derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements wil meaning “will, or desire” and hard meaning “hardy, brave, or strong.” The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of William Wilard in 1166, in the “Pipe Rolls of Norfolk.” John Willard was a very early emigrant to the British colonies of New England. He left London on the ship "William and John" in September 1635, bound for "St. Christophers in the Barbados". Today there are approximately 1,100 bearers of the name Willard in the United States.