Surname Willming - Meaning and Origin
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Willming: What does the surname Willming mean?
The last name Willming (or Willmink, Wilmink, Wilming, Villming, etc.) is of German origin and is believed to be a patronymic name derived from the first name Wilhelm. It is believed that the name is derived from the old German elements "wil" meaning "will or desire" and "helm" which means "helmet or protection". Thus, a literal meaning of the name may be "the desire for protection".
The Willming name also appears to have roots in the word "wermel", which according to the German dictionary is an old term for "alderman". This connection could also explain the name’s origin. Despite its unclear origin, one thing that is known for sure is that the name has existed for hundreds of years and appears to have been used in multiple variants throughout the years.
The surname Willming is commonly associated with the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Saxony and is now spread throughout the world. Today, those with the Willming surname mostly live in Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, and Argentina. There are also records of the name in Singapore, Australia and Mexico.
Due to its popularity and age, the name Willming has also become associated with various coat of arms and crests, suggesting a strong connection to noble families and new branches of the Willming family.
Order DNA origin analysisWillming: Where does the name Willming come from?
The Willming surname is a rare one, found primarily in Germany and the Netherlands. It's unknown whether the name is a derivative of a German or Dutch surnames, but it has been suggested that it could be derived from the words "Wilhelm" or "Maingau" for example.
Within Germany, Willming is most commonly found around the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as in the former East German states. It is much rarer in the western German states.
In the Netherlands, Willming is found predominantly in the northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen, both located in the northern part of the country.
In the United States, where the surname may have been taken by immigrants many generations ago, the Willming name can still be found in small numbers today in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and other midwest states.
Overall, however, the Willming name is very uncommon in most parts of the world today. According to ancestry.com, it is only found in limited numbers in any given area. While its presence may have been much higher in the past, the name is less common in modern times.
Variations of the surname Willming
Willming is a Germanic surname derived from either a personal name Willm or Wilm or from elements which mean “will” or “prepare”. It is also spelled Willming, Wyllming, Wyllmings, Wyllmes, and Wilming.
In Germany, the surname Willming is most common in the western region, with high concentrations in the Eisenach, Gotha, Mühlhausen, Osnabrück and Halle districts. It is also found in Denmark, where it is most prevalent in Copenhagen, and in the Netherlands, where it is most often found in Amsterdam.
The variants of Willming are Wilm, Willie, Willey, Wilmin, Wyllming, Wilmini, Wyllmes, and Wyllmings, while the patronymic, or matronymic form is Wilmes.
Willming is found in the varieties of Wymondham or Wymansham in England, and Wynants or Wynantsberg in the Netherlands. In Germany, it has been recorded as Willling and Wallemang.
The surname process, where Willming is one stage in a succession of surname variants, is known as metronymic succession. For example, in some circumstances, Willming may be shortened to Wilmes, then further changed to Willi or Wille, and finally, other patronymic forms such as Wilmer, Wilmann, Wilmers, Wilmor, Wilmvan, and Wilvans.
It is important to note that some of these surname variants may refer to distinct ethnic origins and different branches of a family, such as those of English and German descent.
Famous people with the name Willming
- Lauren Willming: American actress best known for her roles in the films The Unborn and Boogeyman 3.
- Charles Willming: American actor, known for his roles in The Audition and all three Twilight films.
- Marc Willming: German rally driver and multiple-time German rally champion.
- Alfred Willming: German professor of constitutional and administrative law at Bonn University.
- Dave Willming: American musician, best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the rock band Anvil.
- Joe Willming: American basketball coach at Florida State University.
- Taylor Willming: British actor, known for his roles in Midsomer Murders and Starstruck.
- Mildred Willming: American doctor and medical researcher, best known for her work on cardiovascular disease.
- Andrew Willming: Canadian Olympic silver medalist in the snowboard halfpipe at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
- Peter Willming: German playwright known for his psychological dramas set in the Weimar Republic.