NameCensus.

UK surname

Willaims

Derived from the personal name William, originally meaning "resolute protection" or "protection".

In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Willaims surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 111, ranked #29,049, up from #29,484 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Newchurch and Toxteth Park. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Norwich, Shropshire and South Hams.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Willaims is 180 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 282.8%.

1881 census count

29

Ranked #29,484

Modern count

111

2016, ranked #29,049

Peak year

1911

180 bearers

Map years

3

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Willaims had 29 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #29,484 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016, ranked #29,049.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 180 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Willaims surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Willaims surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Willaims 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 37 #26,673
1861 historical 69 #25,057
1881 historical 29 #29,484
1891 historical 72 #27,804
1901 historical 26 #31,152
1911 historical 180 #15,961
1997 modern 126 #23,461
1998 modern 105 #26,822
1999 modern 99 #27,906
2000 modern 83 #29,809
2001 modern 70 #31,016
2002 modern 66 #31,821
2003 modern 68 #31,689
2004 modern 68 #31,880
2005 modern 72 #31,730
2006 modern 76 #31,633
2007 modern 85 #30,954
2008 modern 90 #30,567
2009 modern 111 #27,846
2010 modern 118 #27,404
2011 modern 97 #30,552
2012 modern 107 #29,017
2013 modern 107 #29,561
2014 modern 107 #29,827
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 111 #29,049

Geography

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Where Willaims' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Newchurch, Toxteth Park, Wigan and St John the Evangelist. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Norwich, Shropshire, South Hams, Cardiff and Brent. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Newchurch Monmouthshire
3 Toxteth Park Lancashire
4 Wigan Lancashire
5 St John the Evangelist Brecon

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Norwich 014 Norwich
2 Shropshire 003 Shropshire
3 South Hams 003 South Hams
4 Cardiff 040 Cardiff
5 Brent 027 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Willaims

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Willaims

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Willaims, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Willaims surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Willaims 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Willaims is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Willaims 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

Willaims falls in decile 4 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Willaims is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

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

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Willaims

The surname Willaims has its origins in medieval England, specifically during the Norman Conquest of 1066, when Norman French culture began to intermingle with Anglo-Saxon traditions. The name finds its roots primarily in the regions of Normandy and subsequently spread in England. Originally, the surname Willaims is derived from the Old French name William, which itself comes from the Germanic name Wilhelm, composed of the elements 'wil' meaning desire or will, and 'helm' meaning helmet or protection.

The spelling Willaims appears to be a variation or even a transcription error over time from the more common Williams. Historically, surnames were often recorded as they were spoken or heard, leading to variants in spellings. Documents from the medieval period show various such alterations. The Domesday Book, completed in 1086, lists numerous individuals bearing the name William, though not explicitly Willaims, as the name evolved later with regional spelling differences.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a surname that closely resembles Willaims can be found in parish records from the late 13th century. For example, Henry Willaims is mentioned in records from Norfolk in the year 1286. Another notable mention is Richard Willaims, recorded in London tax documents in the year 1324. These early entries illustrate the gradual establishment of the name in England.

Historical texts also refer to Thomas Willaims, a notable landowner in Cambridge around the early 1400s. His family lineage is well-documented, and records from his estate offer a glimpse into the life of a medieval gentleman. Another influential bearer of the name was John Willaims, a merchant in Yorkshire in the 16th century, whose detailed records from his trade with the Low Countries provide a rich historical context for the family name.

Additionally, in the field of academia, Edward Willaims made substantial contributions to early modern science in the late 1600s, with university records from Oxford showing his extensive involvement in scholarly pursuits between 1675 and 1720. Lastly, Anne Willaims, a notable figure, is documented in the 18th century as a prominent supporter of the burgeoning women’s rights movement in London, her advocacy and writings shedding light on social issues of her time.

These historical references underscore the endurance and variability of the surname Willaims, reflecting its evolution through centuries of English history and its occasional appearance in regions where spelling conventions varied.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Willaims families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Willaims 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. Monmouthshire leads with 8 Willaims' recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.14x.

County Total Index
Monmouthshire 8 39.14x
Shropshire 8 32.75x
Hampshire 6 10.35x
Glamorgan 3 6.09x
Yorkshire 3 1.07x
Pembrokeshire 1 11.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. West Newchurch in Monmouthshire leads with 8 Willaims' recorded in 1881 and an index of 80000.00x.

Place Total Index
West Newchurch 8 80000.00x
Clun 6 3529.41x
Owslebury 6 7500.00x
Diddlebury 2 2500.00x
Huddersfield 2 49.02x
Oystermouth 2 526.32x
Holy Trinity St Mary 1 232.56x
Llanfair Nantgwyn 1 5000.00x
Merthyr Tydfil 1 21.14x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Ann 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Sarah 2
Amelia 1
Elizabeth 1
Florance 1
Hannah 1
Harriett 1
Rhoda 1
Rose 1
Susan 1
Violet 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 4
William 3
Thomas 2
James 1
Nicholas 1
Robert 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 Willaims households.

FAQ

Willaims surname: questions and answers

How common was the Willaims surname in 1881?

In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Willaims surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Willaims surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 111 in 2016. That gives Willaims a modern rank of #29,049.

What does the Willaims surname mean?

Derived from the personal name William, originally meaning "resolute protection" or "protection".

What does the Willaims map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Willaims 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.