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
School 26,218
Coal Miner Hewer 4,383
Farmer 2,649
General Servant (domestic) 1,812
Private Means 1,685
Labourer 1,682
Dressmaker 1,614
General Labourer 1,564
Farm Labourer 1,426
Ysgol 1,337
At School 1,213
Domestic Servant 1,091
At Home 1,015
Coal Miner (hewer) 949
None 873
Clerk 840
Housekeeper 772
General Servant Domestic 689
House Keeper 662
Shop Assistant 661
Collier Hewer 636
Carpenter 571
House Painter 564
Scholar 540
Charwoman 539

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