Meaning and orgin of the surname williams or willems?

Question:

Meaning and orgin of the surname williams or willems?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Williams

WELSH

The Welsh name Williams is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name William, which is in turn derived from the Old German names Willihelm and Willelm (the Norman French version was Guillaume). Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William became the most popular personal name in Britain for a time.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Williams, Quilliams, Guilliam, Guilliams and others.

First found in Breconshire and Monmouthshire on the English/Welsh border, where the Williams family was seated from very ancient times.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: David Williams and Elizabeth Williams, who both settled in Virginia in 1623; as did Edward Williams in 1624; Richard Williams, who came to Maine in 1630.

GERMAN

The German state of Prussia, which reached the zenith of its power in the late 19th century, is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Williams. In the medieval era, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known in Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The colorful history of Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany, provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the Williams family.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wilhelm, Wilhem, Wilhelmi (Latinized), Wilhelmy, Wilhelmus (Latinized), Wilhelms, Wilhelmsen (Holstein), Wilhalm (Bavaria, Austria), Wilms (Friesland) and many more.

First found in northern Germany, where the name was associated in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would eventually emerge as belonging to a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Its use as a Surname must be traced back to its immense popularity as a first name early in the middle ages. Indeed, one chronicle mentions a knight's feast in Bayeux around 1171 a.d.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Wilhelm, who emigrated to America in 1709; Jacob Wilhelmus arrived in Philadelphia in 1727; and was followed by Johannes Wilhelm in 1728; Johann Frantz Wilhelm in 1737.

Willems is the same as Williams in German

GERMAN

German

The German state of Prussia, which reached the zenith of its power in the late 19th century, is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname willems. In the medieval era, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known in Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The colorful history of Brandenburg-Prussia, which is essentially the birthplace of modern Germany, provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the willems family.

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wilhelm, Wilhem, Wilhelmi (Latinized), Wilhelmy, Wilhelmus (Latinized), Wilhelms, Wilhelmsen (Holstein), Wilhalm (Bavaria, Austria), Wilms (Friesland) and many more.

First found in northern Germany, where the name was associated in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would eventually emerge as belonging to a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Its use as a Surname must be traced back to its immense popularity as a first name early in the middle ages. Indeed, one chronicle mentions a knight's feast in Bayeux around 1171 a.d.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Wilhelm, who emigrated to America in 1709; Jacob Wilhelmus arrived in Philadelphia in 1727; and was followed by Johannes Wilhelm in 1728; Johann Frantz Wilhelm in 1737.