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Patronymic name (from a parent's given name)

The Wilson Family Name — Meaning & Origin

The surname 'Wilson' most likely means 'son of Will' or 'son of William'.

Origin

'Wilson' is a patronymic surname, traditionally meaning 'son of Will' or 'son of William', with 'Will' being a common diminutive of 'William'. The name is of English and Scottish origin, deriving from the Old German name 'Wilhelm', which means "desire helmet" or "protector". This surname independently arose in various regions and is not confined to a single lineage.

Values that often pair with this name

ProtectionUnityLoyalty
Example heraldic family crest style, in the Scottish heraldic tradition
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Curious how this connects to your own name? Read our guide to surname origins or learn what crest symbols and colors mean. Browse more names in the family name directory.