Surname Willmen - Meaning and Origin
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Willmen: What does the surname Willmen mean?
The last name Willmen is believed to be of German origin, with various different spellings over time such as Wilm, Wilmet, Willme, and Williman. The name likely derives from the Germanic personal name Wilmar, combining elements Wil (desire) and Mar (name, fame, or glory). This suggests that the name was originally given to someone of ambition and high standing in the community, and was likely adopted as a family name in the Middle Ages.
Often used as a surname in 17th and 18th centuries in Germany, the name Willmen likely spread to other parts of Europe and eventually to America with immigration of German families. In particular, it is recorded that Bernhardt Willman arrived in Philadelphia in 1732.
Today, the Willmen name can be found all throughout the world, and is a testament to the legacies of ambition and determination instilled in the name's original holder. Whether the current members of the Willmen family are descended from that original Wilmar or centuries of lineage traceable to him, it is undeniable that the name has persisted throughout the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWillmen: Where does the name Willmen come from?
The last name Willmen is fairly common throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. It is also present in parts of the United States, Australia, and Canada. In Germany, Willmen is quite popular in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, particularly in the cities of Bochum and Dortmund. Other main areas of the country where this surname is common include Berlin, Saxony, and Baden-Wurttemberg.
In the United States, the largest concentration of the name Willmen is in the state of Texas, particularly in the Houston metropolitan area, which is home to a sizable German expat population. Willmen is also found in larger numbers in Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as a few other states.
In Canada, the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba have the most people with the last name Willmen, while in Australia it is most common in the state of New South Wales.
In general, the Willmen surname is fairly uncommon, with very few instances of it outside of Germany and other countries with large German expat communities.
Variations of the surname Willmen
The surname Willmen has several variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. One variant spelling is Wylmn or Wylman and surnames that originate from Willmen include Wilman, Wilmen, Wilmans, Wyleman, Wileman, Wilmon, and Wilmant.
The spelling Willman is also common and can be found in the United States as well as in Europe. The once popular spelling Willeman can still be found in the United States, but is less common in Europe.
In the United Kingdom, Willman appeared in records as early as the 17th century and manuscript sources from early England were known to have recorded the names as Wilman, Wilmans, Wilmen, and Wilmant.
Other variants that appeared in the records include Wileman, Wylman, Wilemon, and Wylemon. These variants also appear to have been used in the United States as well as in the United Kingdom.
The variations Willm and Wylem are two of the earliest recorded variations of the surname Willmen. Documented spellings of the surname include Wilemen, Wylemen, Willman, and Wilmiss which can be found in several western European countries.
The spelling Willimen also appears in the United States, and its variations include Wilmam, Wilmans, Wileman, Willsense, Willamy, Wyman, Wyllmans, and Wyllman.
It is likely that the surname Willmen has more variations and spellings than what is listed here but these are some of the most common and most documented variants.
Famous people with the name Willmen
- Henry Willmen: British composer, conductor and teacher.
- Bryan Willmen: professional baseball player who has previously played for the Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners.
- Lars Willmen: Norwegian footballer who plays for the Danish first division team AGF Aarhus.
- Dirk Willmen: German boxer who competed in the light welterweight division in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Fred Willmen: Canadian hockey player who played 48 games for the St. Louis Eagles in the NHL in 1934–35.
- Patriarch Willmen: first African-American head coach of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks in 1969.
- Jeff Willmen: American basketball player who played for UCLA in the early 1990s.
- Christy Willmen: American fashion model and former winner of the 1994 Elite Model Look contest.
- Brad Willmen: American football player who played several seasons in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- David Willmen: American artist, professor and author, best known for his book trilogy, The Willmen Trilogy, which chronicled his spiritual journey.