Williams Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Williams Name Meaning: Was first recorded in medieval England. It is derived from the French name Guillemin (William) and is made up of Germanic meanings; will - desire; helm - protection.

First recorded in Oxfordshire in 1279.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Williams Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Williams family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 29,095
Labourer 4,579
Agricultural Labourer 3,206
General Servant 2,951
Domestic Servant 2,471
Coal Miner 2,165
Dress Maker 1,924
Farm Servant 1,629
Collier 1,501
Servant 1,307
House Keeper 1,037
Miner 999
Farmer 930
Carpenter 874
Laundress 845
Annuitant 772
Farmers Son 729
Tailor 712
Blacksmith 678
Farmer's Son 670
Shoe Maker 654
Farmer's Wife 643
Joiner 642
Farmers Wife 626
Quarry Man 597

Williams Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Williams 100% 1,611,436
2 Willams 88% 1,943
3 Wiliams 88% 1,314
4 Willimas 75% 1,246
5 Woollams 63% 946
6 Willaims 75% 635
7 Willims 88% 435
8 Williames 89% 303
9 Woolliams 78% 196
10 Wiilliams 89% 136
11 Wlliams 88% 121
12 Welliams 88% 107

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The surname Williams is the most popular version of all its varients

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