Surname Wilhelmi - Meaning and Origin
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A Journey into Heritage: How the iGENEA DNA Test Reaffirmed My Wilhelmi Identity
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M. Wilhelmi
read moreWilhelmi: What does the surname Wilhelmi mean?
The last name Wilhelmi is of German origin. It consists of two elements, "Wil" from the German root "wil" meaning "will" and "helm" from the German root "helm" meaning "helmet" or "protection". Thus, the name Wilhelmi may literally be translated to mean "one who will protect".
Throughout German history, the meaning of the name Wilhelmi can be attributed to three prominent figures, all leaving a formative influence on German culture. The first is Wilhelm Tell, a legendary figure from Swiss folklore who upholds the rights of the oppressed with the call to rebellion and justice. The second is Wilhelm I, the first German emperor who unified the region through his forces and established a Prussian state. The third is Wilhelm II, the last emperor of Germany who oversaw the country's industrialization and expansion.
Due to its association with these influential figures, the name Wilhelmi is also associated with courage, strength and a sense of protection. Today, many individuals bearing the last name Wilhelmi often display these qualities in their everyday lives. They can be found taking on a leadership role in their community and standing up for what is right. In essence, those with the surname Wilhelmi provide a sense of faith, trust and security in their environment.
Order DNA origin analysisWilhelmi: Where does the name Wilhelmi come from?
The last name Wilhelmi is most common in Germany, but there are Wilhelmis all over the world. In Germany, the most concentrated populations of Wilhelmis can be found in the states of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, where it ranks 250th and 324th respectively. This surname is also quite prominent in America, particularly in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, where it ranks in the top 1000.
Wilhelmi is a patronymic name and was likely derived from Wilhelm, an old German name meaning "will," "desire," and "protection." This name is a combination of two words, "will" and "helmet," meaning "reliable protector."
Outside of Germany and America, Wilhelmi has a presence in a few other countries as well, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, France, and Austria. Although it is not extremely common, it is slowly becoming more widely distributed as descendants move around and bring the name with them.
The name continues to grow in popularity and relevance, as Wilhelmis have held prominent positions in business, politics, and science. With its continued usage, the surname is likely to maintain its presence in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Wilhelmi
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wilhelmi include:
Wilhelmi: This is the most common variant of the surname Wilhelmi, and is derived from the German Wilhelm, which is an early form of the name William. It is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries.
Wilhelmy: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is found mainly in Germany and Austria. It is derived from the same German Wilhelm.
Wilhelmie: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is a very uncommon spelling and is rarely used. It is thought to have originated in the Czech Republic.
Wilhelmes: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is derived from the same German Wilhelm, but is uncommon. It is mainly found in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Wilhelms: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is another uncommon spelling. It is found mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Wilhelmsson: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is a Swedish spelling of the name and is derived from the same German Wilhelm.
Wilhelmsen: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is a Danish spelling of the name and is derived from the same German Wilhelm.
Wilhelmus: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is the Latin form of the name Wilhelm and is derived from the same German Wilhelm. It is mainly found in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Wilk: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is a very rare spelling. It is thought to originate from the Polish Wilk, which is derived from the Slavic wilk, meaning "wolf".
Wyllie: This variant of the surname Wilhelmi is a Scottish spelling of the surname and is derived from the same German Wilhelm.
Wilkinson: This is an English variant of the surname Wilhelmi. It is derived from the Middle English Wilkin, which is itself derived from the same German Wilhelm.
Famous people with the name Wilhelmi
- Anna Wilhelmi: actress best known for her role in the movie The Edge of Seventeen.
- Werner Wilhelmi: German actor best known for his roles in the TV shows Tatort and Outlander.
- August Wilhelmi: German sculptor who participated in international exhibitions in Rome, Venice and Munich.
- Rudolf Wilhelmi: German actor and theatre manager known for his performance in sold out plays such as King Lear and Oedipus.
- Jakob Wilhelmi: German actor and ballet dancer who began performing professionally in 1849.
- Karl-Heinz Wilhelmi: German actor and narrator with roles in both feature films and documentary films.
- Walter Wilhelmi: German author and poet who wrote several plays and poems about nature and human rights.
- Gustav Wilhelmi: German actor and director noted for his innovative theater productions including Der Ring des Nibelungen.
- Andrea Wilhelmi: German film director and producer best known for her films Names of Memory and Dreams of Love.
- Laura Wilhelmi: German actress best known for her role as the lead in the soap opera Verbotene Liebe.