Surname Willim - Meaning and Origin
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Willim: What does the surname Willim mean?
The surname Willim is of German origin. It is thought to be derived from the given names Wilhelm or Willem. Both these given names are derived from the Germanic name Willahelm and mean “protection” or “will helmet”. This is a reference to the protection that a helmet offered during battle.
The majority of Willim surname holders today are located in Germany, but it can also be found within other Germanic countries such as the Netherlands and Scandinavia. The first recorded mention of the Willim surname dates back to the 14th century and was found in records from the southwest region of Germany.
The people who hold the Willim surname can also be found in the United States. The first recorded Willim to move to the United States was Christopher Willim in 1681. Since then, the surname has spread to various states in the US, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
The Willim surname is known to connote a strength of character and protection of others. Those in the Willim family are typically seen as dependable and loyal friends. They are also known to be hardworking and have a passion for helping those in need. Additionally, the tendency to be a leader and take control of difficult situations is often associated with the Willim surname.
Order DNA origin analysisWillim: Where does the name Willim come from?
The last name Willim is an uncommon last name today, however can be found in certain areas of Europe, particularly in Poland and Lithuania. It is also found in Canada with a small concentration of Willim families in Toronto.
In Poland Willim is one of the top 3,000 most common last names, with an estimated 2,500-3,000 people bearing this name. It became more common after Poland and Lithuania implemented their permanent population registration systems in the 19th century.
In Canada, Willim can be found in larger urban centers like Toronto, although still relatively uncommon. According to Statistics Canada, as of 2016 there were roughly 275 individuals with this surname. The majority of which are concentrated in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.
Though Willim is not commonly found around the world today, its presence has been documented in North America for more than 100 years. People with this last name are connected through heritage and family history, making it an excellent way to trace family branches.
Variations of the surname Willim
The surname Willim has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Wilim, Willim, Willem, Willemse, Willemsen, Willems, and Williams.
The Dutch form of the name is derived from the first name Willem, which is an old Germanic name compounded from the elements “will” meaning desire and “helm” meaning helmet or protection. The German and Scandinavian variants of the surname are Willems, Willims, Wilm and Wilmes.
In Scotland, the surname Willim is derived from William, also known as the Gaelic form of Uilleam. This version of the name originated from the Latin name Willaimus, which is itself derived from the Germanic name Willelm.
The surname Williams is derived from the Middle English “willem” meaning "desire" or "protection" combined with the suffix "-son" meaning "son of."
In French, the surname Willim is spelled Wilms or Wilmse and is derived from the first name Willem. In Germany, the spelling Willems is derived from the Old German name Willelmo.
The Jewish variant of Willim is Vilim or Wilma and is derived from the Hebrew name “Ullim” meaning “protector." There is also a Polish variant, Wilma, which is derived from Vilim, as well as a Ukrainian variant using the spelling Vilimskyi.
The surname Willim is very popular in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and is also common in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Willim
- Willim Dafoe: A Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor with over 150 acting credits to his name, Willim Dafoe is best known for his performances in films such as Platoon, Spider-Man, and The Great Wall.
- Richard Simmons: Longtime fitness guru Richard Simmons is one of the most recognizable figures in the exercise world, and is the creator of the popular exercise program “Sweatin’ to the Oldies”.
- David Willim: David Willim is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and record producer whose work includes writing Spice Girls' hits like "Wannabe" and George Michael's "Older".
- Reggie Willim: Reggie Willim is a former NFL player who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
- Willim Tell: Willim Tell is the legendary Swiss hero renowned for his skill in archery and his part in the Swiss revolution in the late 13th century. He is a symbol of Switzerland and his story is oftentimes told as a folktale.
- Denzel Willim: Denzel Willim is an Australian actor and is best known for his roles in the films Hacksaw Ridge and The Dressmaker.
- Walter Willim: Walter Willim is a German chemist and Nobel Laureate who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961 for his work in nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging.
- Jody Willim: Jody Willim is an American actor and singer, best known for his work on the Netflix series Stranger Things and the musical Hamilton.
- Eugenie Willim: Eugenie Willim is a fashion designer who is the founder of the streetwear brand Buteenme. She is known for her brightly colored and eclectic designs.