Surname Willmsen - Meaning and Origin

Willmsen: What does the surname Willmsen mean?

The surname Willmsen is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the personal name Willemar, which is a combination of two very old Germanic names; "will" meaning will or desire, and "mar" or famous. Thus the name translates to mean one who is "desirous of fame".

The name was originally spelled Willemse or Willette and is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany. In Dutch, the name is pronounced "vell-mes-en" and in German it is usually pronounced "veel-mes-en".

The earliest record of the name was found in records dating from the early 1400s in Germany. In these records, a man named Willens Willemse is mentioned, suggesting that the name had been in use since at least that time.

In modern times, the surname Willmsen is still most common in countries of Germanic heritage such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. However, the name has spread elsewhere due to migration and can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Therefore, the last name Willmsen is a surname of German and Dutch origin which translates to one who is "desirous of fame". It is still found most commonly in countries of Germanic heritage but has spread to other countries due to migration.

Willmsen: Where does the name Willmsen come from?

Willmsen is a relatively uncommon name, although it is found primarily in Germany and Scandinavia. In Germany, the name is most common in the western part of the country, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia and parts of Lower Saxony. In Scandinavia, the name is found mainly in Denmark and Sweden.

In the United States, the name Willmsen is most common in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. It can also be found in other states such as Ohio and Iowa.

The United Kingdom also has a few individuals with the last name, primarily concentrated in the northern counties, such as Yorkshire and Lancashire, and in cities like London and Manchester.

Willmsen also appears occasionally in other countries with a significant German-speaking population. It can be found in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Overall, the name Willmsen is not particularly widespread, but those who do carry the name often have their roots in northern Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia.

Variations of the surname Willmsen

The surname Willmsen is an occupational surname derived from the German word "Willm" meaning "strong-willed" and the suffix "-sen" which means "son of". This surname is commonly found in parts of Northern Europe, with variants such as Wilhelmsen, Willems, Wilms, Wilmes, and Wilmsen.

Wilhelmsen is another German variant of the surname that is derived from the given name Wilhelm. The variant Willems is derived from the Frisian personal name Willem, which originated from the Germanic name Wīland, meaning "will or desire". Wilms is derived from Wilhelm, while Wilmes is a Dutch variant of the name.

Variations of the surname Willmsen occur in other countries and languages; in Danish, it is Vilmsen, in Dutch, it is Wilmse, and in Danish and Norwegian, it is Willmesen. In Sweden, the name is Wilhelmsen or Wilhelmson, while in Finland it is Wilhelmson or Wilhelms. Additionally, there are alternate spellings like Wilms, Willoms, and Wilmse.

The variants of the surname Willmsen reflect the diversity of factors that can influence the development of surname over the course of time, from language to local geography, along with personal or familial preferences. As is the case with many surnames from a variety of cultures, the permutations of the surname’s spelling can be used to trace the unique history of family lines.

Famous people with the name Willmsen

• Christian Willmsen: a Canadian multimedia journalist for CBC News and novelist.
• Rolf Willmsen: a German video game designer and artist.
• Andy Willmsen: an American producer and director known best for his work on the show Ardor.
• Elin Willmsen: a Norwegian international handballer.
• Robert Willmsen: an American journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.
• Thomas Willmsen: a Norwegian former soccer player.
• Nick Willmsen: the drummer of the music group Darkest Hour.
• Greta Willmsen: a Danish professional dancer.
• Arthur Willmsen: a German painter whose passion lies in realism and abstract art.
• Derk Willmsen: a Dutch football defender.

Other surnames

Willms