Williams (surname)
| Pronunciation | /ˈwɪljəmz/, /ˈwɪliəmz/ |
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| Origin | |
| Meaning | "William's son" |
| Frequency Comparisons[1] | |
Williams is a surname of English origin derived from the personal name William and the genitive ending -s.[2] It is also common in Wales, where it represents an anglicization of the Welsh patronymic ap Gwilym.[3]
Williams is the second most common surname in New Zealand, the third most common in Wales and the United States, and the fourth most common in Australia.[1][4]
Earliest recorded usage
[edit]- Willam is from 1279 in Oxfordshire.[5]
- William is from 1299 in Whitby, Yorkshire.[6]
- Williames is from 1307 in Staffordshire.[7]
See also
[edit]- List of people with surname Williams
- Williams baronets
- Williams family of Caerhays and Burncoose
- Willyams
References
[edit]- ^ a b Williams given name at Forebears
- ^ Hanks, Patrick; Lenarčič, Simon; McClure, Peter, eds. (2022). "Williams". Dictionary of American Family Names (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190245122.
- ^ Ffrancon, Rhys (26 December 2023). "Jones, Davies and Williams: What are the origins of Welsh surnames?". Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ^ United States Census Bureau (9 May 1995). s:1990 Census Name Files dist.all.last (1-100). Retrieved on 25 February 2008.
- ^ Reaney & Wilson 1995, p. 493, sourced from the Rotuli Hundredorum 1812, 1818.
- ^ Reaney & Wilson 1995, p. 493.
- ^ Reaney & Wilson 1995, p. 493, sourced from the Staffordshire Assize Rolls.
Bibliography
[edit]- Reaney, P. H.; Wilson, R. M. (1995). A Dictionary of English Surnames:The Standard Guide to English Surnames. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-863146-4.
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