name
Common
Williams
WIH-lee-uhmz
Williams (name) means an English and Welsh surname meaning "son of William," one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world. Example: “Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time.”
name
1
An English and Welsh surname meaning "son of William," one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world.
"Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Williamses
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Serena _____ is one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Etymology
A variant of William with a genitival or post-medieval excrescent -s.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Williams” mean?
The word “Williams” means an English and Welsh surname meaning "son of William," one of the most common surnames in the English-speaking world.
How do you pronounce “Williams”?
“Williams” is pronounced WIH-lee-uhmz (/ˈwɪli.əmz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Williams” in a sentence?
Here is “Williams” used in a sentence: “Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players of all time.”
What part of speech is “Williams”?
“Williams” is a name.
Is “Williams” a common word?
“Williams” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the surname Williams mean?
Williams is a patronymic surname meaning "son of William." William itself comes from the Germanic name Wilhelm, combining "will," meaning desire or resolve, with "helm," meaning helmet or protection, so it carries a sense of resolute protection. The added "s" signals descent, marking the family as William's line.
Where does the surname Williams come from?
Williams is English and Welsh in origin, and it became especially widespread in Wales after the Norman name William spread through Britain. It is one of the most common surnames in England and Wales and ranks among the top surnames across the English-speaking world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
How common is the surname Williams?
Very common. Williams is consistently among the most frequent surnames in the English-speaking world. It ranks near the top in England and Wales, sits within the top few in the United States, and appears widely in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Its strong Welsh roots make it especially prevalent in Wales.
Is Williams a first name or a last name?
Williams is primarily a surname, or family name, meaning "son of William." It is far less common as a given name, though it does appear occasionally. The related form William, without the final "s," is the well-established first name from which the surname originally derived centuries ago.
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