NameCensus.

UK surname

Guillaume

A French surname derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (desire) and "helm" (helmet), suggesting a strong-willed warrior.

In the 1881 census there were 32 people recorded with the Guillaume surname, ranking it #29,082 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 105, ranked #30,114, down from #29,082 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Tandridge, Wiltshire and New Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Guillaume is 108 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 228.1%.

1881 census count

32

Ranked #29,082

Modern count

105

2016, ranked #30,114

Peak year

2013

108 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Guillaume had 32 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,082 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016, ranked #30,114.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 88 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Guillaume surname distribution map

The map shows where the Guillaume surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Guillaume surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Guillaume over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 40 #26,118
1861 historical 5 #33,418
1881 historical 32 #29,082
1891 historical 60 #29,204
1901 historical 88 #24,270
1911 historical 84 #24,442
1997 modern 86 #28,876
1998 modern 89 #29,026
1999 modern 95 #28,465
2000 modern 98 #27,988
2001 modern 100 #27,402
2002 modern 100 #27,944
2003 modern 94 #28,686
2004 modern 94 #28,896
2005 modern 101 #27,854
2006 modern 98 #28,621
2007 modern 93 #29,777
2008 modern 95 #29,822
2009 modern 99 #29,754
2010 modern 98 #30,540
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 99 #30,442
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 108 #29,658
2015 modern 105 #30,092
2016 modern 105 #30,114

Geography

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Where Guillaumes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Tandridge, Wiltshire, New Forest, Kensington and Chelsea and North Somerset. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Tandridge 010 Tandridge
2 Wiltshire 024 Wiltshire
3 New Forest 023 New Forest
4 Kensington and Chelsea 017 Kensington and Chelsea
5 North Somerset 002 North Somerset

Forenames

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First names often paired with Guillaume

These lists show first names that appear often with the Guillaume surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Guillaume

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Guillaume, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Guillaume surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Guillaume household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Guillaume is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Guillaume is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Guillaume falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Guillaume is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Guillaume, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Guillaume

The surname Guillaume originated in France in the medieval period. It is derived from the French form of the Germanic name Wilhelm or William, which means "resolute protector" or "helmet protector." The name was initially used as a masculine given name before evolving into a hereditary surname.

Guillaume first appeared as a surname in northern France, particularly in the regions of Normandy, Brittany, and Picardy. The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be found in medieval records, such as tax rolls, census documents, and parish registers.

One of the earliest known bearers of the surname Guillaume was Guillaume de Normandie, a Norman nobleman who lived in the 11th century. He was a prominent figure in the Norman conquest of England in 1066 and served as a trusted advisor to William the Conqueror.

Another notable historical figure with the surname Guillaume was Guillaume de Champeaux (c. 1070-1121), a French philosopher and theologian. He was a prominent figure in the Cathedral School of Notre Dame in Paris and is considered a key figure in the development of scholastic philosophy.

In the 13th century, Guillaume de Lorris (c. 1200-1238) was a French poet known for his work "Roman de la Rose," a significant literary work of the medieval period. The poem was later continued by Jean de Meun after Guillaume's death.

During the 14th century, Guillaume de Machaut (c. 1300-1377) was a renowned French poet, composer, and musician. He is considered one of the most important composers of the Ars Nova period and played a crucial role in the development of medieval secular music.

In the 15th century, Guillaume Dufay (c. 1397-1474) was a renowned Franco-Flemish composer and influential figure in the Burgundian School of Renaissance music. His compositions, particularly his masses and motets, played a significant role in the transition from medieval to Renaissance music.

The surname Guillaume has been found in various spellings throughout history, including Guillame, Guilaume, and Guilliaume. These variations reflect regional dialects and spelling conventions of different time periods. Additionally, the surname has been associated with certain place names, such as Guillerval and Guillerville, reflecting the geographic origins of different branches of the family.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Guillaume families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Guillaume surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 13 Guillaumes recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.10x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 13 3.10x
Channel Islands 11 88.57x
Devon 6 6.88x
Hertfordshire 4 13.84x
Hampshire 3 3.49x
Glamorgan 2 2.74x
Denbighshire 1 6.31x
Durham 1 0.80x
Midlothian 1 1.78x
Sussex 1 1.41x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hackney London in Middlesex leads with 10 Guillaumes recorded in 1881 and an index of 42.55x.

Place Total Index
Hackney London 10 42.55x
St Helier 7 173.27x
Exeter St Thomas The 4 449.44x
Harpenden 4 909.09x
Holdenhurst 3 133.33x
St Peter Port 3 130.43x
Cardiff St Mary 2 49.75x
Plymouth Charles The 2 52.08x
Saffron Hill London 2 2222.22x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 4.43x
Henllan 1 250.00x
Hove 1 32.26x
Kensington London 1 4.29x
St Saviour 1 144.93x
Stockton On Tees 1 16.64x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Guillaume surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Guillaume surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Alfred 1
Alp. 1
Auguste 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Edward 1
Emile 1
Ernest 1
Eugene 1
Fredk. 1
Gabriel 1
George 1
Guillaume 1
Jean 1
Jules 1
Pierre 1
Walter 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Guillaume households.

FAQ

Guillaume surname: questions and answers

How common was the Guillaume surname in 1881?

In 1881, 32 people were recorded with the Guillaume surname. That placed it at #29,082 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Guillaume surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 105 in 2016. That gives Guillaume a modern rank of #30,114.

What does the Guillaume surname mean?

A French surname derived from the Germanic elements "wil" (desire) and "helm" (helmet), suggesting a strong-willed warrior.

What does the Guillaume map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Guillaume bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.