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Williams Genealogy and Williams Family History Information

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About the Williams surname

origins

The origin of the surname Williams can be:

  1. Son or descendant of Guillemin, a pet form of Guillaume, the French form of William.
  2. From the Belgic "guild-helm," harnessed with a gilded helmet or "welhelm," the shield or defense of many.
  3. Derived from the given name "William," an Old French given name with Germanic elements: wil = desire, will; and helm = helmet, protection.

In Wales, adding an "s" to the end of a surname denotes "son of," pointing to Wales as the origin of many people with the Williams surname.

Variations: Willimon, William, Williman, Williamson, Wilcox, MacWilliams, McWilliams, Willihelm, Willelm

other versions of this surname

other possible versions of this surname