Surname Quilliam - Meaning and Origin
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Quilliam: What does the surname Quilliam mean?
The last name Quilliam is an English name of Anglo-Saxon origin and has two possible meanings. The first meaning is derived from the Old English personal name Willehelm, which translates as ‘desire for the helmet’ or ‘hard helmet’. The second possible meaning is derived from the Old English compound word ‘cwilhelm’, which means ‘strong in will’.
In the Middle Ages, Quilliam was a common last name in Britain and was mainly found in the northern parts of the country, though it also spread southwards in the centuries that followed. It is derived from the Old English given name Willeham and remains a popular surname today.
The Quilliam family was prominent in British public and military life. A number of notable figures from history carried the surname, most notably William Quilliam (1852-1932), an English attorney and writer who is known as the ‘father of Islamic revival’ for his work on Muslim activism and education. There was also William Quilliam (1856–1902), a British conservative politician, and James Quilliam (1834-1907) who was a British banker and philanthropist.
Overall, the Quilliam name is steeped in British culture and is a reminder of our Anglo-Saxon roots, with its strong connotations of honour, strength and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisQuilliam: Where does the name Quilliam come from?
The origin of the surname Quilliam is most likely English, with its roots likely originating in the islands of the British Isles and later migrating to the Americas. It is a relatively uncommon name today and is most commonly found in a few countries with English-speaking populations: England, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
In England, the name Quilliam can be found most frequently in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds, as well as other English locations throughout the country. In Australia, Quilliams are mainly concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Across the pond in Canada, the name mainly shows up in larger cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. In the United States, Quilliams are most commonly concentrated in Texas and Florida, with smaller numbers in California, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The name Quilliam can also be found in other parts of the world, primarily due to the influence of the British Empire in the past. This includes small pockets of Quilliams in India, Singapore, and the Caribbean, amongst other countries.
Overall, the surname Quilliam is not widely dispersed but can be found in certain countries of the English-speaking world today. Those who bear the name are likely descendants of British settlers who arrived in these countries during the colonial period.
Variations of the surname Quilliam
The surname Quilliam is derived from the Irish and Scottish name of Ó Cuiliam, which is translated to mean “descendant of Cuiliam". There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Quilliam which include:
- Quillan: This was an Irish form of the surname derived from the root name Ó Cuiliam.
- Kilian: This is a variant surname of “Quilliam”, derived from an Old Irish name Cilliam, which was also often translated to mean “descendant of Cuiliam."
- Cillian: A variant of the surname Kilian, which was derived from the Old Irish name of Cilliam.
- Quill: This is another variant of the surname Quilliam of Irish origin. Derived from the Old Gaelic name of O'Cuilleain.
- Quillian: A variant of the surname Quilliam of Irish and Scottish origin. It was derived from the Gaelic name of O'Cuilleain.
- Killan: Another variant of the surname Quilliam, derived from the Irish name of O'Cuilleain.
- Quinnell: This is another form of the surname Quilliam derived from the Irish name of O'Cuilleain.
- Quilliamson: A patronymic variant of the surname Quilliam, derived from the root name of O'Cuilleain.
- O'Quillian: This is an Irish variant of the surname Quilliam derived from the root name of O'Cuilleain.
- Quilman: Another variant of the surname Quilliam derived from the Old Gaelic name of O'Cuilleain.
All of these variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Quilliam are derived from the Irish and Scottish roots of the name O'Cuilleain. The name has been adapted over time and can be found in different forms across many parts of the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Quilliam
- Khalilah Quilliam: American model and actress
- Benjamin Baldwin-Quilliam: British poet
- Christian Quilliam: Jamaican folklorist
- Salman Quilliam: Pakistani politician
- Barrister David Quilliam: British lawyer
- Christopher Quilliam: Australian filmmaker
- Jack Quilliam: Scottish footballer
- Abdul Khaliq Quilliam: British Sufi translator
- Carol Quilliam: Canadian author
- Marshall Quilliam: British comedian