This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the well.' Of course Wells, saving in particular cases, has nothing to do with the city of Wells in the West country. The final 's' is added in common with other monosyllabic local surnames; compare Styles, Brooks, Bridges, &c. There is also a parish Wells-by-the-Sea, in the Diocese Norwich.

Gilbert de Welles, Norfolk, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

William de Welles, Lincolnshire, ibid.

Hervy del Welle, vicar of Mendham, Norfolk, 1320: History of Norfolk.

Johannes del Well, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

1583. Anthony Welles, Sussex: Register of the University of Oxford.

1617-8. John Wells and Joane Viccaries: Marriage Lic. (London).

This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'at the well,' from residence thereby; v. Wells; compare Attwood.

Adam Ate Welle, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

John Atewelle, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

John Atte-Well, Kent, 20 Edward I: Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III.

Simon Atte Well, Close Rolls, 43 Edward III.

William Atte Well, 1313. Writs of Parliament.

John Atwelle, ibid.

Willelmus Attewell, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Jef the French Atwelle, rector of Erpingham, Norfolk, 1448: History of Norfolk.

The variant Atwillis found as early as the beginning of the 17th century.

Hugh Attwyll, parson of Cawverly, Devon, 1602: History of Norfolk.

Most probably of English origin from one or other of the places of the name in England. In Latin documents de Fontibus. Willelmus de fontibus witnessed a gift by Philip de Mubray to the monks of Dunfermline, c. 1202-14 (RD., p. 95), and Henricua de Fonte was witness to the gift by Philip de Mubray of a toft in Inuerkethin to the church of St. Thomas of Aberbrothoc, p. 1219 (RAA., I, p. 85). Richard de Welles witnessed a grant in favor of the chaplain of St. Peter at Duffus, 1240 (REM., 213), and Walter de Welles is mentioned in an Aberdeen document of 1277 (Friars, 13). Alisaundre de Welles was warden of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Scotland, 1296. His seal shows a shield, lion rampant, S' F'ris Alexandri de Welles (Bain, II, p. 202,558). Galfridus de Wellys, chaplain in Aberdeen, 1317 (SCM., V, p. 5) is probably Galfridus de Wellys, perpetual vicar of Tarwas, 1331 (RAA., I, p. 202; II, p. 9). William de Wellis held lands in Aberdeen, 1342 (REA., I, p. 71). Thomas of Welles, a Scot, had a safe conduct to pass to Rome, 1448, and in 1486 Robert Wellys had a similar protection to pass between Scotland and England (Bain, IV, 1206, 1522). Patrick of Wellis, a witness in Perth, 1478 (RAA., II, 202), may be Patrick Wells (without the 'de'), canon of Scon, 1491 (Scon, p. 198). Gilbert Wellis was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1493 (NSCM., I, p. 37). Robert de Fontibus was archdeacon of St. Andrews, 1498 (REA., II, p. 306), and John de Fontibus or John Wellis was presbyter in Brechin diocese, 1528 (Laing, 369). Patrick Wellis was provost of Perth, 1501 (LAC., p. lxxxix), and William Vellis held land in the regality of Arnbroath, 1535 (RAA., II, 828). James Wols or Weis, an inhabitant of Sanquhar, 1684 (RPC., 3. ser. IX). George Wells, merchant in Dumfries, 1711 (Dumfries). Local pronunciation in Dumfries is Walls.

(English) Dweller At the Well or Spring. [Middle English atte welle = Old English æt pœm w(i)elle] Wil. Atte-Welle.—Writs of Parl.

(English) Dweller at a well, spring or stream.

1. Towns in cos. Somerset and Norfolk. 2. A pluralization of Well.

Local. At (the) well.

Local. A name given to a person who resided there. "John, at the Wells"—John Wells. A bishop's see in Somersetshire, so called from the wells or springs there.

From Atte Welle; a location name. Adopted as a surname 1258-1358, Court of Husting, London.

Wells. —This is an ancient English name which was represented commonly by Welles in the counties of Oxford and Cambridge in the reign of Edward I. (Hundred Rolls.) It is at present most numerous in the south of England, in Oxfordshire (as of old), Wilts, Berks, Sussex, and Kent. It has, however, an independent home in Lincolnshire, and extends northwards into Yorkshire and Lancashire.