Surname Wilms - Meaning and Origin

Wilms: What does the surname Wilms mean?

The last name Wilms is derived from the Germanic personal name Wilm or Günzel, which in turn likely originated from the short form of ghunthilo, meaning “battle courage.” The name is most commonly found in northern Germany or parts of the Netherlands and is believed to have come from the regions where Germanic tribes settled.

The Wilms name has also developed into different variations such as Wilmes, Gillms and Wilmish. Variations of the name can be found in the United States, Canada and some parts of Europe.

In Germany, the Wilms name generally denotes a family of great wealth and status. This family is believed to have achieved this status by using their strong battle courage to become successful in business.

The Wilms family crest is an eagle, signifying a sense of proud strength, self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities. This interpretation also reflects the family's intense ambition and energy.

The Wilms name stands for courage, strength, ambition and success. It is a name of honor that has been proud of for generations. To members of the Wilms family, it is a reminder of their long and proud family history and the honor gained through commitment and courage.

Wilms: Where does the name Wilms come from?

The last name Wilms is most common in Germany today, with many Wilms families located primarily in the Westphalia region in northwest Germany. The name Wilms is thought to be derived from the name Wilm, which was once a popular German personal name in the Middle Ages.

The Wilms surname is believed to be of Germanic origin, derived from the pre-7th century given name Wilm. This personal name is composed of the elements will, which means 'will' or ‘desire', and helm, which means 'helmet' or 'protection'. Therefore, the name Wilm is thought to signify 'strong willed', or 'desire for protection'.

The Wilms surname is also found across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Belgium, northern France and in countries where German emigrants settled, such as parts of the United States, the Falkland Islands, South Africa and Brazil.

Today, the Wilms family is spread out around the world, leading back to its Germanic roots and its meaning of ‘strong willed’ and ‘desire for protection’.

Variations of the surname Wilms

The surname Wilms is of German or Low German origin, and is derived from the Old German name Wilhelm. Variants of this surname include Wilmes, Wilm, Wilmes, Wilmkes, Wilmsen, Wilmssen, and Vilms. Wilms is also associated with some alternative spelling variants, such as Wilmer, Wilmers, Wilmes/Wils, Wilmissen, and Willmes.

There are also a number of synonyms associated with Wilms, which are mostly related to variations of Wilhelm. These include Guillermo, Wilhelmus, and Wilkelmus, as well as the Dutch forms Wilhelmus, Wilke, Wilken, and Wilkind.

Wilms is also used as a prefix in a few surnames. Examples include Wilmsmeyer, Wilmshausen, Wilmser, Wilms-Gerde, Wilms-Neumann, Wilms-Ullrich, and Wilmsen-Schultz. In addition, the surname Wilms has become associated with a few other surnames, such as Wilmking, Wilmot, Willout, Wilmotz, Wilman, and Willmont.

Overall, Wilms is a relatively common surname, with variants suggesting that the surname was first used in Germany or the Low Country. It is associated with multiple variations and spellings, as well as a few surnames and synonyms related to Wilhelm.

Famous people with the name Wilms

• Bob Wilms, a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League
• Albert Wilms, a German surgeon and politician
• Henri Wilms, a Belgian sculptor
• Erich Wilms, a German-American aerospace engineer and recording artist
• Nico Wilms, a Dutch football striker
• Oliver Wilms, a German writer and journalist
• Ralf Wilms, a German downhill mountain biker
• Marco Wilms, a Brazilian footballer
• Manfred Wilms, a German composer and conductor
• Cees Wilms, a Dutch long-distance runner
• Andrew Wilms, a Canadian water polo player
• Hans Wilms, a German philologist and linguistic theorist
• Robert Wilms, a German politician
• Geoffrey Wilms, an English cricketer
• William Wilms, an American engineer and inventor
• Marcel Wilms, a Dutch illustrator
• John Wilms, an American figure skater
• Dieter Wilms, a German actor
• Johannes Wilms, a German collector of antiquities
• Heinrich Wilms, a German architect and professor

Other surnames

WilmWilmannWilmannsWilmansWilmarWilmerdingerWilmeringWilmerothWilmersWilmertWilmesWilmesmaierWilmesmeierWilmesmeyerWilmingWilminkWilmkesWilmkingWilmsenWilmsmannWilmsmeierWilmsmeyer