For what it's worth?? Jean "Tradition says the Willson's (Wilson) fled Scotland to England and on to Ireland then to America. They are first in Maryland, then to Pennsylvania. Data shows that to be the Newville area. From there we find them moving into North Carolina and on into Tennessee." SOURCE: Robert Bain's "The Clans and Tartans of Scotland" 1938 page 112-113 Ta'mhas is the Gaelic form of Thomas. the Willsons were from the clan Gunn. their Clansman's Crest: A Dexter arm weilding a broadsword, proper. Motto:" Aut pax aut bellum"( Either peace or war) Their badge was Juniper and Pipe music" The Gunn's Salute". There is some research that shows a possible link to Olave the Black, a Norse King of Man and the Isles. ============================================================ SOURCE: letter was written in response to an inquiry about a William Wilson, born in Scotland or Ireland in 1722. in the Ritchie Co. W.Va. library Leonard Wilson Heraldry & Heraldic Art Family History London San Francisco - Los Angeles 1525 Walnut Street. Berkeley, California, 20 May, 1932 Dear Sirs: Replying to your inquiry addressed to me at the University, I beg to say that I have voluminous data on the subject of the Wilson family history and its many branches, having studied the matter for a great many years. In my genealogical files I find a note in the effect that William, the son of David, the latter being of that branch which moved from Scotland and settled in Ireland (the north of Ireland), was in descent from the Scotyish Wilsons of County Inverness. The history of this branch of the family has never been compiled, so far as I know, hence research from original sources would be necessary to establish the line of descent. The Inverness family is well known, however, and coat-armour has been duly granted to it. You should try and secure a copy of the "License to Pass Beyond the Seas," which was probably issued to the immigrant when he sailed for the American Colonies, as this might disclose considerable information concerning him. You are probably aware that the Wilsons came originally from Denmark in the 9th century; settled in England; many of them (they all acquired considerable wealth) were massacred by King Ethelred in 1002; those who escaped took refuge in France and their descendants returned to England with William the Conqueror in 1066. They then separated; one branch establishing itself in England, and the cadet branches in Scotland and Ireland. The surname does not mean, as so many imagine, "the son of William," but "the son of a wolf," the evolution of the name being Wilf, meaning wolf, which appeared on their shield long before they had an hereditary surname), Wilfson, Wylsone, and finally Wilson. The family is of princely origin in Denmark. The wolf appears on the Coat of Arms today both on that of the mail branch of the family in England, of which I am a descendant, and on that of the Wilsons of Inverness, from which, apparently, you are descended, I have emblazoned the Wilson coat many times.