English, from Old German "helmet of resolution" or "helmet of desire". Introduced into Britain, as the Germanic form Willelm, by the Normans and rapidly becoming the most popular boy's name throughout England in honour of the Norman Kings William I and William II.
There are many spelling variations of William in the 1841 Census of Aberdeenshire, mostly very rare. Most should be found with Soundex searching. Abbreviated entries Wm, Wilm and Willm occur very frequently, as does the short form Will, generally felt to be a pet name but possibly a name in its own right in a significant number of records.
In old documents in Latin the forms Guglielmus, Gulielmus or Willielmus may be found, with appropriate case endings.
Villiam was a scribing variation used around the 16th century and earlier (National Archive of Scotland, reported by a correspondent [GJ]). |
