Surname Wilkie - Meaning and Origin

Wilkie: What does the surname Wilkie mean?

Wilkie is a surname of Scottish origin that means "resolute protector". It derives from the personal name William, which in turn is derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm, composed of the elements “wil” meaning "will" or "desire", and “-helm” meaning "helmet" or "protection". Combining the two parts brings the meaning "desire for protection" or "protector with a strong will". Over time, the name William was shortened to Will or Wilkin, and the suffix "-ie" or "-y" was added as a diminutive form, giving us Wilkie. The surname indicates someone who is determined and strong-willed. It is occasionally found as a given name as well. Notable people with this surname include 19th-century British writer Wilkie Collins and former Australian politician Kim Wilkie.

Wilkie: Where does the name Wilkie come from?

The surname Wilkie originates from Scotland, specifically from the medieval personal name "Wilkin," which is a diminutive of the name "Will" derived from the old German name "Wilhelm". This medieval name was popular throughout Europe in various forms such as Guilhelmus (Latin), Guillaume (French), and Wilhelm (German). The suffix “-ie” or "-y" often denotes "son of", hence Wilkie might be taken to mean "son of Wilkin". The earliest recorded instance of the surname was in 1327 in Sussex.

In the 19th century, substantial numbers of Scots emigrated to Australia, the United States, and Canada, so the surname Wilkie spread to these places. Today, the surname Wilkie is most common in the United States, followed by England, Canada, Australia, and Scotland. The state in the US with the most Wilkies is Florida. In England, it's found largely in Yorkshire. Despite its Scottish roots, the name is not as prevalent in Scotland in contemporary times, but it still maintains a presence especially in Lanarkshire.

Variations of the surname Wilkie

The surname Wilkie is of Scottish origin and derived from a diminutive of the personal name William. As such, there are several variations and spellings that stem from the same root. These include Wilkie, Wilkey, Wilkin, Wilkinson, Wilkison, Wilkerson, and Wylkie. Other related names are Willkie and Wilcke.

A significant variant can be found in German-speaking areas where it may be spelled as Wilcke or Wielke. In areas where Dutch is spoken, we can find the variants Wilkens or Wilken.

In different records spelling has changed over time even within the same family, so it would not be unusual to find same surname spelled differently due to phonetic spelling. For instance, it may be recorded as Wilkie in one document, and Wylkie in another.

It's also possible for a surname to have morphed into a different but similar-sounding name over time, or as families moved and languages changed, leading to a large array of potential surname variants. The Wilkie surname is no exception, and researching these alternate spellings can be important when tracing genealogical records.

Famous people with the name Wilkie

• David Wilkie: A Scottish Olympic swimmer who won various medals in the 1970s.
• David Wilkie: A renowned Scottish 19th-century artist particularly known for his genre-scenes.
• Robert Wilkie: A former Secretary of Veteran Affairs in the Trump administration.
• Chris Wilkie: An American ice hockey player who briefly played in the NHL.
• Colin Wilkie: Known British folk singer and songwriter.
• Donovan Wilkie: A Jamaican football referee who officiated at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
• James Wilkie: Primarily known as the son of Hollywood actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.
• John Wilkie: American newspaper publisher and head of the U.S. Secret Service under President McKinley.
• Kathleen Wilkie: Canadian politician who served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
• William Wilkie: Scottish poet, known for his epic poem, "The Epigoniad."
• Bill Wilkie: A rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s for Great Britain and England.
• Frances Wilkie: Also known as Francis Brown, a Scottish writer.
• Pip Wilkie: Famous in the track and field athletics world.
• Ernest Wilkie: Prominent Scottish footballer.
• Alex Wilkie: A well-known Australian mathematician.

Other surnames

WilkinWilkingWilkinsWilkinson