Surname Guillaume - Meaning and Origin
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Unravelling the Surprising DNA Story of the Guillaume Surname with iGENEA
When embarking on my DNA journey with iGENEA, I wasn't prepared for the surprises it would unearth about my ancestral surname – Guillaume. From discovering a nobility link in Middle Ages France to tracing a significant Jewish narrative intertwined with the name, my DNA analysis unveiled unexpected turns and revealed the resilience and diversity of my lineage.
Y. Guillaume
read moreGuillaume: What does the surname Guillaume mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Guillaume is derived from the Old German personal name Wilhelm, which is composed of two elements; wil (will or desire) and helm (protection or helmet). When translated to English, Guillaume literally means "the one who desires protection," perhaps referring to a person in need of a strong or noble protector.
Guillaume is a relatively common French surname that can be traced back to the medieval period in France. It may have been adopted by people who were seeking protection in a world of violence and lawlessness. People with the surname Guillaume were likely viewed as noble, intelligent, and persevering individuals.
Over the centuries, the spelling, pronunciation, and translation of Guillaume has changed depending on the region. In some French-speaking parts of the world, Guillaume is more commonly pronounced as "gee-oh-muh". In Italy, the surname can be found as "Guglielmo," and in Germany, it is known as "Wilhelm".
Guillaume is an ancient surname, a name steeped in history and tradition. Family members carrying it today may be proud of their ancestry and the legacy that goes with it. People with the last name Guillaume are believed to be driven by ambition and a strong desire to protect and care for those less fortunate.
Order DNA origin analysisGuillaume: Where does the name Guillaume come from?
The last name Guillaume is most commonly found in France – particularly in the northwest Champagne-Ardennes region. It is also widely found in French-speaking countries worldwide, such as Canada, and increasingly in other international communities including the United States.
The name Guillaume is derived from the old Germanic name Willahelm, meaning ‘helmet of will’ or ‘protection of strength’. It has been popular in different cultures over the centuries and has various spellings such as Guillaume, Willem van der, Guillaume de, and Vilhelm.
In France, the surname Guillaume is one of the most common in rural areas, particularly in the regions of La Loire, Bourgogne and Pays-de-la-Loire. It is also well represented in the Alsace region, an area that has had strong links to Germanic settlers for centuries.
In more recent years, Guillaume families have also grown in popularity among Canadian and US residents. In Canada, it is among the top 100 surnames, and in the US, it was ranked 786th in 2019.
The name is also common in other French-speaking countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, and in some parts of North Africa. Guillaume is popular in the Caribbean owing to the presence of French settlers who arrived there centuries ago. There are even records of the name in parts of East Africa.
Overall, the last name Guillaume is a widely spread family today, with records showing the presence of the name in multiple countries across the world. It has been popular in different forms for centuries, and this trend seems likely to continue.
Variations of the surname Guillaume
The surname Guillaume is derived from the Latin name "Guillelmus" which reductively can also be spelled "Gwilliam," "Willem," "Guillam," "Gilles," and "Guillot." This surname originates from a number of different countries, including France, England, and Scotland.
In French, the surname has multiple spellings, including Guillaume and Guillame, both pronounced the same. Its variants are Gilles, Gwillaume, Gwilome, Gillot, Guillemot, and Gwilim. The name is commonly used in northern France and is quite popular in both Brittany and Normandy.
In England, Guillaume is often spelled Willm. Its variants include Wellam, Wylan, Wilem, Wileman, Wilmott, Wilmot, and Wills. In Scotland, the variants of Guillaume are usually Gwillian, Gwillem, Gwillam, William, Gwilliam and Gwyllim.
Many people who bear the surname Guillaume trace their ancestors back to William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England. The Guillaume surname is still found in many parts of East Anglia, which was once part of the vast duchy of Normandy.
Overall, the surname Guillaume can be found in many forms, both spelling and related surnames, depending on the country of origin.
Famous people with the name Guillaume
- Henry Louis “Hank” Azaria: An American actor, comedian, producer, director, and writer.
- Bill Guillaume: An American jazz saxaphonist.
- Bruno Guillaume: A French professional soccer player.
- Paul Guillaume: A French and African art collector, dealer and cultural promoter.
- Carl Guillaume: A German actor.
- Camille Guillaume: A French diplomat.
- CarlosGuillaume: An American sculptor and printmaker.
- Charles Guillaume: A French optician and industrialist.
- Daniel Guillaume: An American musician.
- Jean-Pierre Guillaume: A French actor and director.
- Elvire Guillaume: An American singer-songwriter.
- Émile Guillaume: A French civil engineer.
- Felicia Guillaume: An American transgender activist.
- Guy Guillaume: A French rugby union player.
- Guy-Joseph Guillaume: A French professional chess player.
- Henri-Joseph Guillaume: A French painter.
- Jean Guillaume: A French poet and composer.
- Jean-Louis Guillaume: A French opera composer.
- Kermit Guillaume: An American activist and civil rights leader.
- Laure Guillaume: A French actress.