Surname Wilhalm - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wilhalm: What does the surname Wilhalm mean?
The last name Wilhalm is a German name which historically could have had several different sources. One possible origin of the name is derived from the German words ‘wil’, meaning ‘desire’, and ‘helm’, meaning ‘helmet’. This suggests that the original name bearer may have been someone who wore a helmet, or was a professional soldier. Additionally, the name may have been a nickname for someone whose hair was unusually thick, since ‘helm’ was used to reference an individual’s hair.
The surname Wilhalm is commonly found in Bavaria, Germany. However, the name Wilhalm may also be of French origin, derived from the names Willelme and Willialmus, which were used during the Middle Ages. These names were derived from the Old German name Willhelm, meaning ‘resolute’ or ‘determined protector’, and they were popular amongst the French Royal family during the period of Francization.
Over time, the surname Wilhalm has evolved into the modern-day variations Willem, Wim, Wilhelm, and Wilhelmi. These variations may be found throughout Germany, Holland, France, and other areas of Europe. The name Wilhalm is believed to have traveled with German immigrants upon their arrival to the United States, and can now be found in the United States Census records from 1880 onwards. Today, the surname Wilhalm serves as an important reminder of the historical roots and origins of those who have carried the name throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWilhalm: Where does the name Wilhalm come from?
The last name Wilhalm is common in Germany, France, and Switzerland. It's one of the most widespread German surnames, according to the GENUKI Archive.
In Germany, Wilhalm is quite common, particularly in the southwestern part of the country. A 2017 survey from the German genealogical magazine Familienspiegel found that the name Wilhalm was the eighty-third most common surname in the country, with more than 101,000 people having it as part of their name.
In France, the Wilhalm surname appears to be quite popular in the areas around the Loire Valley. This area, which is also called Grand Est, is home to several cities such as Nancy, Metz, Reims, and Strasbourg. A 20th-century genogram of the Grand Est region found that the Wilhalm name is most commonly found in the region's towns and cities near the German border.
In Switzerland, Wilhalm is mainly found in the French-speaking cantons, particularly in the Jura and Bernese Jura. It is also found in the Basel-Stadt and Aargau cantons, where it is one of the most common German-origin surnames.
Overall, the name Wilhalm appears to be quite widespread, with significant populations found in Germany, France, and Switzerland. Given its popularity, the Wilhalm surname is likely to continue to be widespread well into the future.
Variations of the surname Wilhalm
The surname Wilhalm, or Wilhelm, has many regional variants, alternate spellings, and related surnames. Regional versions of the name include Wilhalm, Wilhelm, Wilhom, Willam, Wilham, Willhelm, Willholme, and Willom.
In English regions, the name is commonly spelled as Willim, Willimans, Willimen, Willims, Wilim, Wilims, Willeman, Willimond, Willimoth, Williman, Willmon, Willmun, Willmutt, Wilman, Wilmans, Wilmont, Wilmot, Wilmott, and Wilmut.
In German regions, alternate spellings and surnames include Wille, Willecke, Willek, Willet, Willett, Willheim, Willick, Willig, Willisch, Wilmanns, Wilmecke, Willmann, Wilmes, Wilmling, and Wilmuth.
The name is much less common in French regions, but can appear there as Wilhelme, Wilhems, Wilhelmz, and Wilman. In Scandinavian regions, the name appears as Vilhelm and possibly Vilhelms. In Eastern European countries, variants of the name emerged as Vilhem, Wilhem, and Vilmos.
In Scotland, the spelling is popularly Wilhelmson, and in Irish regions the surname was changed to Wilhelmeen and Wilhelmy. Variants of the surname in other languages include Gaelic Donation and Italian Wilhelmotto.
There are many unusual and regional spellings related to the surname Wilhalm which connect to various languages from all around the world. Whether the spelling is close or more varied, all of them are versions of the same root name.
Famous people with the name Wilhalm
- Ryan Wilhalm: professional golfer
- Shawn Wilhalm: singer/songwriter
- John Wilhalm: former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Joe Wilhalm: former American football linebacker
- Roger Wilhalm: basketball executive
- Tim Wilhalm: actor and stand-up comedian
- Frank Wilhalm: former National Hockey League goaltender
- Ann Wilhalm: actress
- Misty Wilhalm: singer
- Nico Wilhalm: former Major League Baseball shortstop
- Rhett Wilhalm: retired National Football League punter
- Rich Wilhalm: former pitcher in Major League Baseball
- Robert Wilhalm: former basketball forward
- Robert Wilhalm Jr.: Major League Baseball relief pitcher
- Sterling Wilhalm: former pitcher in Major League Baseball
- Tyler Wilhalm: real estate entrepreneur
- William Wilhalm: architect
- Wily Wilhalm: retired NFL linebacker
- Lucy Wilhalm: Olympic field hockey player
- Hendrik Wilhalm: former tennis player