Surname William - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Legacy of the Surname William through an iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Account
As an individual interested in my ancestry, I recently took a DNA test at iGENEA. I wanted to get insights into my surname - William. The process and its technicalities were impressive, and the results were highly accurate and enlightening, expanding my understanding about the William heritage and its origins.
P. William
read moreWilliam: What does the surname William mean?
The last name William is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name William. The Old Germanic version of the name is Willahelm or Wilhelmus. This was derived from the words 'wil', meaning desire, and 'helm', meaning helmet or protection. In other words, the name William is a symbolic representation of protection and desired success.
Throughout history, the name William has been popularized by kings, queens, princes, and nobles, making it a prestigious name in Europe and throughout the world. In particular, two prominent figures are associated with the name; William the Conqueror, who was the first Norman King of England, and William Shakespeare, the renowned English poet and playwright.
The popularity of the name William continues to this day, with the name being given to millions of newborns around the world each year. It has been considered a strong and noble name, and often been associated with authority and power. It can also symbolize courage and determination.
In conclusion, William is a strong, noble, and powerful name with a great historical pedigree. It is a classic name which has transcended culture and time, being popular among people around the world. There is a good chance that the bearer of the name William will grow up to be a strong, successful, and influential individual.
Order DNA origin analysisWilliam: Where does the name William come from?
The last name William is most common today in the English-speaking world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. According to the Surname Database, William is the 15th most popular last name in the United States, with nearly two million Americans bearing it. In the UK, it ranks as the 4th most common surname.
William is also popular in Ireland and Scotland, and other areas with large British immigrant populations, such as South Africa, New Zealand, and Canada. It also crops up in other parts of Europe, most notably in Germany, where it is spelled Wilhelm. It is also common in certain non-English speaking countries, such as France (where it is spelled Guillaume), the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.
The William surname has a rich history and is associated with some of the most famous figures of history. William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England after the Norman conquest of 1066, was born 'William the Bastard'. Other famous figures with the surname include William Shakespear, William Wallace (the legendary Scottish warrior), and William Faulkner, the iconic American author.
Overall, William is a common name worldwide, with millions of people of all races, ages, and nationalities bearing the surname. It has an illustrious history and is still wonderfully popular in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname William
The surname William comes from an Anglo-Germanic background, and its variants, spellings and surnames reflect that. Willem, Wilhelmus, Wilhelmine, Gillaume, Guillaume, and Willemsz are all variations.
In Scotland, there are several surnames associated with the Williamson family of chiefly Scottish Clan, including Williams, Williamson, Willson, Willison, Wilshusen, Willemsen, and Wilkinson. It is also very common to find variants in Ireland, such as Wilmot, Wilmott, Willmott, Wilmouth, Wilmeth, Willmot, Willmott and Willment.
The Welsh language also has its variations: Gwillim, Gwillym, Gwillim ap Rhys, Gwillym of Powys, Gwillym ap Rhys, Wilkin, and Wilkins are some of the various alternate forms.
In France, the difference is pronounced between Guilhem, Guilliam, and Guillaume. Variants are also common in German-speaking countries such as Willeman, Wilmans, Willimann, and Willman, as well as in Scandinavian Scandinavian-speaking countries such as Willem, Willman, Willems, and Wilhelms. It is also found in Spain, where its variants include Guillén and Guillène.
In Italian and Italian-speaking countries, the most common variations are Guillermo, Guilherme, Guglielmo, and Guglielmini. Similarly, Portuguese variants include Guilherme, Guillherme, and Guilherm. Finally, in the Netherlands, you'll find Willem, Wilhelms, Willemsen, and Willemse.
Overall, the surname William is widely known around the world and has numerous variants and spellings associated with it.
Famous people with the name William
- William Shakespeare: widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
- William the Conqueror: the first Norman king of England from 1066-1087
- William I of England: posthumously known as William the Great, he was the second Norman king of England from 1087-1100
- William II of England: also known as William Rufus, he was the third Norman king of England from 1087-1100
- William III of England: also known as William of Orange, he was the King of England from 1689-1702
- William IV of England: the fourth King of England from 1830-1837
- William of Malmesbury: an English historian and monk
- William the Silent: the leader of the Dutch revolt against Spain from 1581-1584
- William Tecumseh Sherman: the famous American military leader and Union General
- William Randolph Hearst: the famous American newspaper magnate
- William Howard Taft: the 27th President of the United States
- William Jefferson Clinton: the 42nd President of the United States
- William Gates: the founder and chairman of Microsoft
- William Wordsworth: the influential English poet
- William Walker: an American adventurer and privateer
- William Harvey: an English medical doctor who made key discoveries in human anatomy
- William William: a Dutch classical guitarist
- William S. Burroughs: an American novelist, poet, and icon of the Beat Generation
- William Fichtner: an American actor
- William Somerset Maugham: an English playwright, novelist, and short story writer