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The Williams Family Surname - History, Meaning, Origin, Famous People    Meaning : This surname derives from the personal name, William. In German Will means to have desire and helm means helmet or protection. Variations : Williamson, MacWilliams, Wilcox Origins : Wales, England, Scottland, Germany Brief History : Historians credit William the Conquerer for spreading the popularity of the personal name, "William". First as the Duke of Normandy, William the Conquerer invaded England and ascended to the throne as William the I King of England after the Norman conquest in 1066. William the I completely altered the politics and culture in England, as well as sparked the popularity of "William" as a personal name. Eventually, the English families adopted surnames, so it is not a suprise that derivations of the "son of William" were used. Four English kings used the name William and even today, the heir to the British throne is Prince William. Benefiting from family connection to the English throne, many early Williams descendents served in public office and governed newly conquered lands. Eventually the name spread across all of the English speaking countries and finds its places as the 3rd popular surname in Great Britain and America. Historically, this name comes from greatness and the surname basically means, "a family of heroes". Earliest European Record of the Williams Surname : Robert Filius Willelmi - noted in the Doomsday Book of 1086 Richard William - name found in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1279 John Wylyam - name found in Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296 The Country Origins of the Williams Surname The Williams surname primarily originates from such countries as Wales, England, Scotland, and Germany. Throughout the ages, the Williams surname maintains its position as the third most popular surname in the United States and Great Britain. Primarily, the Williams surname is considered a Welsh name. You cannot really trace each William back to one man because many just cropped up and then used the patronymic naming conventions to adopt a family surname.   Wales/England : Historians credit the Welsh people with adding the "s" to the end of the surname that in the Welsh culture denotes "the son of". Since Williams is the most popular variation of the name, it is safe to assume that most of the ancestors of the Williams surname came from Wales. Many of the prominent Williams family came from the historic county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire in Wales located near the English/Welsh border. Sir Henry Williams (1661) and Richard Williams (1679) are the first of a host of Williams family members from Breconshire who served on the English Parliament. The Welsh line of Williams families connect with the motto, Cywir in Gwlad meaning Righteous country or correct land. This is fitting due to the Welsh Williams role in the civic government of their lands.   Northern Scottland : The Williams surname takes on the variation of McWilliams, that also means "son of Williams". The Scottish people are one of the only groups of people using William as part of their surname that did not add the "s" suffix. An excerpt from George F Black's excellent book Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History : Duncan Ban MacWilliam and William the Lion were both great grandsons of Malcolm III. Duncan was slain in the battle of Mam Garvia in Moray in 1187; his son Donald was slain in Moray in 1215, and his son Guthred was beheaded at Kincardine in 1211. indicates some of the early bearers of the MacWilliams surname.   Germany : Genealogists credit the German language with produce the primary variations of the name, William. Some of the old German names are Willihelm and Willelm. The roots of the German people are traced back to Prussia. The German Williams clans identify with a shield having a four roses displayed on a silver background. The German Williams family crest is a single rose. The First Williams to Migrate to America The Williams family played a huge part in developing New England. Many Williams family members came to America to seek religious freedoms. The Williams surname is prevalent in all of the fifty states with Williams Counties located in such as Virginia, Ohio and North Dakota. Thomas Williams - 1620 - voyaged to America on the Mayflower, but died at Plymouth during the first Winter before every marrying or bearing children. David Williams - 1623 - Settled in Virginia Richard and Marie Williams - 1630 - Settled in Maine Roger Williams - February 5, 1631 - born in London, England (circa 1604), he sailed to Boston aboard the Lyon and assumed a seat as one of the first Baptist churches in America. As a result of his desire to separate church and state, Roger Williams formed a new settlement at Providence, Rhode Island. He and his wife, Mary (Barnard) Williams, gave birth to 5 children (Mary [1633], Freeborn[1635], Providence [1638], Mercey [1640], Daniel [1641], Joseph [1643]) all born in America. Famous and Notable People with the Williams Surname Thomas Lanier "Tennesse" Williams III Birth : March 26, 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi Death : February 25, 1983 Parents : Cornelius and Ewina Dakin Williams A great American playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948 and for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955. He moved to New Orleans in 1939 and changed his name to Tennessee, which is the state where his father was born.   Hiram "Hank" Williams Sr. Birth : September 17, 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama Death : January 1, 1953 Parents : Elonzo and Lillie Williams Hank Williams Sr. is a country crooner icon that pioneered the honky tonk style of music. During his short career he pumped out eleven number one hits, such as Your Cheatin Heart, Hey Good Lookin', and Cold, Cold Heart to name a few. Following in his musical footsteps are his son, Hank Williams Jr., his daughter Jett Williams, and his grandchildren Hank Williams III, Holly Williams, and Hilary Williams.   Robin McLaurin Williams Birth : July 21, 1951 in Chicago, Illinois Parents : Robert Fitzgerald and Laura McLaurin (nee Smith) Williams Robin Williams was raised by a mother, who was a former model, and a father, who was a senior executive with the Ford Motor Company. He is a well known comedian and actor who found his start on the 1980s sitcom, Mork and Mindy. Some of his famous movies include, Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Good Will Hunting, to name just a few.   Serena Jameka Williams Birth : September 26, 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan Parents : Richard and Oracene "Brandy" Williams A great American playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948 and for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955. He moved to New Orleans in 1939 and changed his name to Tennessee, which is the state where his father was born. Cool Products Complete Book of Heraldry Design Your Own Coat of Arms Personal Williams Surname Websites The Williamses DNA Project Contact us to add your link Make My Family Tree Guide Step 1 : Plan Step 2 : Research Step 3 : Organize Step 4 : Publish Step 5 : Advertise Interesting Facts About the Williams Surname Thomas Cromwell, who served as King Henry VIII's chief minister from 1532 until his death in 1540, was forced by King Henry VIII to change his surname from Williams to Cromwell. The Wilcox surname became used as a description of a self assured William. Wilkin was used to note a "little Williams". The Williams Brother Store, A family owned five and dime store, still operates in Philadelphia, Mississippi by the family of Super Bowl quarterback, Peyton and Eli Manning's, mother, Olivia Williams Manning. In 1881, there were twice as many people working as farmers in America with the surname Williams than any other surname.

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