English surname from the personal name William plus the genitive -s. Common in Wales, where it anglicized the patronymic ap Gwilym. William comes from Germanic Willehelm (willo 'will, desire' + helm 'helmet, protection') and became very popular in England after the Norman Conquest. Early records: Willam 1279 (Oxfordshire), Williames 1307 (Staffordshire).
Spellings and related forms: Williamson, Willems, Willyams, MacWilliam.
William joins "will" and "helmet, protection". The lion on guard stands for protection.
Most surnames have no single "family crest". In heraldry, a coat of arms belonged to one person and passed down one line of descent. Sites that sell "the Williams coat of arms" usually show the arms of one historic family that shared the name. Ours is different on purpose: an original design built from what the name means, which any Williams can own honestly.
Blankets: soft velveteen plush (100% polyester), printed on one side; may run up to 3 in. short of the listed size. Rugs: polyester chenille with hemmed edges and a coated backing, for indoor use. Both are printed in the USA (Georgia and North Carolina).
Name meanings come from the sources above, checked 2026-10. Where scholars disagree, we say so.