All surnames

English surname

Williams

Son of William

Patronymic surname (from a father's name)

From the Norman-introduced given name William plus the patronymic "-s".

More English surnames

SmithTaylorBakerCooperCarterTurner

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Williams mean?

Son of William. From the Norman-introduced given name William plus the patronymic "-s".

Is Williams a common surname?

Williams is a English-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

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