Williams (surname)
Williams is a common patronymic form of the name William that originated in medieval England, Wales, France, and Italy.[2]
| Pronunciation | /ˈwɪljəmz/ |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | English, Norman, and Italian |
| Origin | |
| Meaning | derived from Son of William |
| Region of origin | England, Wales, Cornwall, France, and Italy |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | William, Willimon, Williman, Williamson, Wilhelm, Willems |
| Frequency Comparisons[1] | |
The meaning is derived from son or descendant of William, the Northern French form that also gave the English name William. Derived from an Old French given name with Germanic elements; will = desire, will; and helm = helmet, protection.[3] It can be an Anglicised form of the Dutch surname Willems. It is the second most common surname in New Zealand; third most common in Wales and the United States and the fourth most common in Australia.[1][4]
Surname history
The English name Williams is a patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Williams and is takes its names from the Old German words Willihelm and Willelm (the Norman French version was Guillaume). In the aftermath of 1066 Norman invasion of England, Williams became the most popular surname in Britain during that period.
In the United States, Williams ranks as 3rd most common surname.
Earliest recorded usage
See also
Notes
- Williams given name at Forebears
- Reaney & Wilson p.493
- "The Meaning and Origin of the Surname Williams"
- United States Census Bureau (9 May 1995). s:1990 Census Name Files dist.all.last (1-100). Retrieved on 25 February 2008.
- Reaney & Wilson p.493, sourced from the Rotuli Hundredorum 1812, 1818
- Reaney & Wilson p.493, sourced from the Staffordshire Assize Rolls
References
PH Reaney & RM Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames:The Standard Guide to English Surnames, Oxford University Press, 1995, ISBN 0-19-863146-4.