Show ContentsWilliams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Williams Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Williams

What does the name Williams mean?

The Welsh name Williams is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name William, which is in turn derived from the Old German names Willihelm and Willelm (the Norman French version was Guillaume). Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William became the most popular personal name in Britain for a time.

Early Origins of the Williams family

The surname Williams was first found in Breconshire and Monmouthshire on the English/Welsh border, where they are traditionally believed to be descended from Brychan Brecheiniog who was Lord of Brecknock at the time of King Arthur of the Round Table.

The mediaeval seat of the ancestors of the Williams family was at Llangibby Castle in County Monmouth. More recently, the family is descended through Rhys Goch, the red haired Lord Ystradyw from Caradog Vreichvras.

One of the first records of the name was listed as Robertus filius Willelmi 1 which was listed in the Domesday Book. 2 Other early records include Richard Williams who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 and John Wylyam who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296.

Early History of the Williams family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Williams research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1604, 1621, 1623, 1635, 1636, 1641, 1656, 1660, 1661, 1666, 1668, 1675, 1679, 1683, 1688, 1689, 1692, 1696, 1712, 1739, 1846 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Williams History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Williams Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Williams has occasionally been spelled Williams, Quilliams, Guilliam, Guilliams and others.

Early Notables of the Williams family

More information is included under the topic Early Williams Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Williams World Ranking

the United States, the name Williams is the 3rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,738,413 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Williams is ranked the 17th most popular surname with an estimated 63,729 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Williams is the 544th popular surname. 5 Newfoundland, Canada ranks Williams as 27th with 705 people. 6 France ranks Williams as 6,400th with 1,000 - 1,500 people. 7 Australia ranks Williams as 3rd with 105,855 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Williams as 2nd with 8,814 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Williams as 23rd with 115,923 people. 10 South Africa ranks Williams as 34th with 106,885 people. 11

Migration of the Williams family to Ireland

Some of the Williams family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Williams migration to the United States +

The Welsh migration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed greatly to its rapid development. These migrants were in search of land, work, and freedom. Those Welsh families that survived the long ocean journey were critical to the development of new industries and factories, and to the quick settlement of land. They also added to an ever-growing rich cultural heritage. A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Williams:

Williams Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Henery Williams, who arrived in Virginia in 1613 aboard the ship "Bolton" 13
  • Mr. Thomas Williams, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "Duties" in 1618 13
  • Mrs. Susan Williams, who arrived in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "William and Thomas" 13
  • Mr. Thomas Williams, (1582-1621), who arrived in Plymouth in 1620 aboard the ship "Mayflower" 13
  • Mr. Roger Williams, aged 20, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Southampton" 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Williams Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Agnes Williams, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 14
  • Elizabeth Williams, who arrived in Carolina in 1724 14
  • Alexander Williams, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 14
  • Alice Williams, who immigrated to Maryland in 1749
  • Elijah Williams, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1795 14
Williams Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Timothy Williams, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 14
  • John Williams, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 14
  • Albert Williams, aged 24, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1814 14
  • George Williams, who settled in Boston in 1822
  • Caroline Williams, who arrived in New York, NY in 1826 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Williams Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mrs. Eliza Williams, aged 23, Welsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mrs. Esther Williams, aged 55, Welsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Esther Williams, aged 19, Welsh settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mr. John Williams, aged 14, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Mrs. Mary Williams, aged 55, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Williams migration to Canada +

Williams Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Deborah Williams, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Catherine Williams, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Mr. Abraham Williams U.E. (b. 1766) who settled in Shelburne, Nova Scotia c. 1783 married to Ann (Nancy) having 13 children, he died in 1846 15
  • Mr. John Williams U.E. who settled in Shelburne, Nova Scotia c. 1783 married to Sarah having 4 children, he died in 1792 15
  • Mr. John Williams U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Williams Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Williams, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Augusta" from Liverpool, England
  • Paul Williams, aged 50, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" from Galway, Ireland
  • John Williams, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Lady Douglas" from New Ross
  • James Williams, aged 25, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "William" in 1834
  • Jearry Williams, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "William" in 1834
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Williams migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Thomas Williams, (1761 - 1790), British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing fabric, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
  • Miss Mary Williams, British settler convicted at Monmouthshire, Wales in 1788, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. John Williams, (d. 1790), British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for stealing sheep, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Robert Williams, (1764 - 1790), aged 25, British settler convicted at Gloucestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. John Williams, British settler convicted at London, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Second Fleet
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, (née Young), (d. 1796), British wife of support staff , transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. Thomas Williams, British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Britannia" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Miss Alice Williams, (1773 - 1830), aged 17, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Miss Cathleen Williams, (Catherine), (d. 1791), Welsh settler convicted in Brecknockshire, Wales in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. Charles Williams, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. Charles Williams, (b. 1762), aged 25, English settler convicted in London on 7th July 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. James Williams, (b. 1766), aged 21, English settler convicted in London on 11th May 1785, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. John Williams, (b. 1767), aged 20, English labourer convicted in Maidstone, Kent on 7th August 1786, sentenced for 7 years for breaking and entering, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. Robert Williams, (b. 1762), aged 25, Cornish settler convicted in Launceston on 25th March 1786, sentenced for 7 years for stealing animals, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
  • Mr. John Williams, (b. 1754), aged 33, Cornish settler convicted in Bodmin, Cornwall on 2nd August 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Williams Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Williams Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Williams Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Williams, (b. 1885), aged 20, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Miltiades"arriving in Queensland, Australia on 7th August 1905 19
  • Mr. John Williams, (b. 1851), aged 57, Cornish labourer who immigrated to New South Wales, Australia aboard the ship "Waikato" in 1870 convicted at Darlinghurst Gaol in 1908 20
  • "Mrs. Harriet Williams, (b. 1804), aged 24, English dairy maid who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as being pregnant" 21

Williams migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Williams Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Williams, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1829
  • P Williams, who landed in New Zealand in 1829
  • Mr. William Williams, Australian settler travelling from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia aboard the ship "Bee" arriving in New Zealand in 1831 22
  • Mr. Williams, Australian settler travelling from Port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on board the ship "Defiance" arriving in New Zealand in 1832 22
  • Henry Williams, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1832
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Williams migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23
Williams Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Mr. John Williams, aged 21, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 14
  • Mr. Owen Williams, (b. 1600), aged 34, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 14
  • Mr. Richard Williams, Cornish settler from St Columb, Cornwall, (b. 1604), aged 30, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 24
  • Mr. Teage Williams, Irish settler from Ireland, (b. 1616), aged 18, British settler travelling from Plymouth, England aboard the ship "Margarett" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) on 1st March 1634 24
  • Mr. Davie Williams, (b. 1618), aged 17, British settler travelling from London, England aboard the ship "Anne and Elizabeth" arriving in Barbados in 1635 25
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Williams (post 1700) +

  • Tennessee Williams (1911-1983), well-known American playwright, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, 1948 and 1955 and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams (1927-2012), American singer who recorded eighteen Gold and three Platinum-certified albums, host of The Andy Williams Show (1962-1971), best known for his recording of "Moon River"
  • Jerrol Lynn Williams (1967-2025), American former professional football player, linebacker in the National Football League, selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1989 NFL draft
  • Nolan Williams (1982-2025), American neuroscientist who employed a battery of high-tech tools in devising a fast-acting therapy that targets the area of the brain where depression originates
  • Lawrence Richard Williams II (1963-2025), American professional football player and college administrator, played five seasons as an offensive guard in the National Football League
  • Edwin Wallace "Ed" Williams (1926-2025), American actor and comedian, who played Ted Olsen on the TV series Police Squad! and in The Naked Gun films
  • Gregory Howard Williams (1943-2025), American scholar, attorney, law school academic and author, 27th President of the University of Cincinnati (2009 to 2012), 11th President of the City College of New York (2001-2009)
  • Bill Williams (1934-2025), American television journalist, Anchor Emeritus for WBIR-TV and special reporter,worked for WBIR since 1977
  • Lloyd A. Williams (1945-2025), American community leader based in Harlem, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and co-founded Harlem Week
  • ... (Another 209 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mr. Leonard Heathcote Williams (1919-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Havelock North, Hastings, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; he died in the crash 26
  • Miss Janet Challis Williams (1909-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Hastings, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 27
  • Mrs. Janet Mary Williams (1919-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Havelock North, Hastings, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 27
  • Alan Houghton Williams (d. 1943), Australian Private who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • David Kevin Williams (1908-1943), Australian Staff Sergeant who died aboard the ship "Centaur" an Australian hospital ship when torpedoed on 14th May 1943
  • ... (Another 203 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Williams Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ensuivant la verite
Motto Translation: By following the truth.

Suggested Readings for the name Williams +

  • The Ancestors and Descendants of Ebenezer and Martha Porter Williams of Painesville, Ohio by Percy Williams Lewis.
  • The Ancestor; The World of William Williams by John Francis Williams.
  • Diamonds in the Desert: The Family History of Bill and Gertie Williams by Billie William Yost.
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. "The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
  6. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  7. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  19. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_queensland.pdf
  20. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_gaol_admissions.pdf
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
  22. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  23. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  24. Cornish in the Caribbean (retrieved on 23rd September 2021). Retrieved from https://books.google.ca/books?id=gnSFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265&lpg=PA265&dq=wallen+lizard+cornwall&source=bl&ots=ARTnm6uRLv&sig=ACfU3U3ewicUaBkTuwC_Gpr0ic-
  25. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's. Retrieved 23rd September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  26. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx

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