Wilhelm

The surname Wilhelm is of German origin and is a variation of the name William. It is derived from the Old Germanic name Willehelm, which means "resolute protector". The name was brought to England by the Norman Conquest of 1066 and has since been anglicised to William.

The Wilhelm surname is not commonly found in Britain, as it is more prevalent in Germany and other European countries where Germanic languages are spoken. However, there are individuals with the surname Wilhelm who can trace their ancestry to German or Austrian roots.

Variants of the Wilhelm surname include Wilhelmi, Wilhelmy, and Wilhelmsen. The name may be found with different spellings due to variations in transliteration and anglicisation over the centuries.

Notable individuals with the surname Wilhelm include German psychologist and philosopher William Wundt, and composer Carl Maria von Weber, whose full name was Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber.

Famous British bearers of the surname Wilhelm may be less common, but those who bear this name likely have ancestral ties to Germany or other German-speaking regions.

In conclusion, while the surname Wilhelm may not be as prevalent in Britain as in other parts of Europe, its history and meaning reflect the rich tapestry of names and cultures that have influenced the British Isles over the centuries.

There are approximately 184 people named Wilhelm in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Wilhelm.

Region of origin: Europe

Country of origin: Germany

Language of origin: German

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alexander
  • Andreas
  • Benson
  • David
  • Jacob
  • James
  • Jamie
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Thomas

Female

  • Carol
  • Christina
  • Claire
  • Frances
  • Gillian
  • Karen
  • Klara
  • Paula
  • Rebecca
  • Stephanie

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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