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.

Discover how your Williams ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

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 36,848
Coal Miner 6,332
Farmer 3,577
General Labourer 3,056
Domestic Servant 2,837
Dress Maker 2,473
Agricultural Labourer 2,202
Labourer 2,070
General Servant 1,940
General Servant Domestic 1,929
Farm Servant 1,424
Living On Her Own Means 1,371
Living On Own Means 1,219
Farm Labourer 1,051
Carpenter 844
Laundress 840
House Keeper 831
Blacksmith 791
Grocer 729
Tailor 726
General Domestic Servant 707
Joiner 702
Collier 652
Clerk 619
Slate Quarry Man 565

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

Did you know?

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

Search for the Williams family