Surname Wilm - Meaning and Origin
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Wilm: What does the surname Wilm mean?
The last name Wilm is derived from the German-language given name Wilhelm, which itself comes from the Old High German “willo” (desire) and “helm” (protection or helmet). Together, the name Wilhelm is interpreted to mean “strong protector.” Over time, the name has evolved into Wilma, Willa, Wilmette, and Wilm as surnames.
Historically, Wilm has been a very common surname in Europe. It was most popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the High Middle Ages, when it was one of the 25 most popular surnames in the region. During this period, it was often paired with the last name “von”, which was sometimes a sign of nobility or belonging to the middle class.
The Wilm surname is still quite popular in Germany and Austria, though it has spread to other parts of Europe, North America, and Australia as well. In some families, the Wilm surname may have been changed to other spellings, such as Wilson or Wylm, in order to better reflect regional dialects or to fit the local pronunciation.
The Wilm surname is associated with a wide variety of people, both famous and everyday. Famous figures bearing the Wilm surname include German politician Angela Merkel, German physicist Ernest Wilm, Swiss industrialist Peter Esser, and American astronaut Eileen Collins. In addition, Wilm is a popular surname among musicians, sports stars, and other celebrities.
Order DNA origin analysisWilm: Where does the name Wilm come from?
The last name Wilm is most commonly found in Germany, where it has been present since early records of the region began. It is believed to have derived from the personal name Wilhelm, which was popular in the Germanic regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. The surname is often linked to the various ancient ruling families which bore the same name, such as the Wilms of Elsdorf-Beeskow in Brandenburg and the Wilms of Westetrnfelde in Thuringia.
The surname is also found in several other countries throughout Europe, including Austria, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Furthermore, there are families in the United States and Canada which trace their roots back to immigrant ancestors from Germany who bore the name Wilm.
Wilms can be found in other countries around the world, as well, including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Today, Wilm is still one of the most common surnames in Germany, where it is widely distributed throughout the country.
Variations of the surname Wilm
The surname Wilm is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has several variants and alternate spellings. The most common variants are Willm, Wilme, Wylme, and Wilmes. Some other variants include Wilim, Willame, Wilham, Wilmore, and Wilam. Willim and Wilim are especially prevalent in Scotland.
The surname is derived from the Old English personal name “Willam” which is composed of the elements "wil,” meaning “desire” and “helm,” meaning “helmet” or “protection.” This gives the surname the literal meaning of “protector of desire.”
The surname Wilm can also be spelled Wilms and Wilmes. These variants are especially common in Germany.
The surname can also appear as a surname of Welsh origin. In this case, it would be derived from the Welsh name “Gwilam,” which means “promise” or “will.”
Common surnames of the same origin include Will, Willey, Wille, Willson, Wilsdon, Wilcox, and Wilkes. All of these surnames are derived from the same Anglo-Saxon personal name and share a meaning of “protector of desire.”
Famous people with the name Wilm
1.Hans Wilm: actor 2.Armando Wilm: artist 3.Anton Wilm: German linguist 4.Lara Wilm: German discus thrower 5.Kai Wilm: German sailor 6.Rene Wilm: German ice hockey player 7.Eva Wilm: German actress 8.Theodore Wilm: German musicologist 9.Klaas Wilm: Dutch designer 10.Anne Wilm: German graphic designer 11.Klaus Wilm: German footballer 12.Rick Wilm: Canadian theologian 13.William Wilm: Dutch political leader 14.Cecil Wilm: British physicist and electrical engineer 15.Tanja Wilm: German bodybuilder 16.Tina Wilm: Danish professional golfer 17.Katrin Wilm: German judo athlete 18.Justin Wilm: American actor 19.Jeanine Wilm: American violinist 20.Hilde Wilm: German textile designer