Find out how popular the last name Williamsbey is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Williamsbey.

Williamsbey, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Williamsbey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Williamsbey in America

Williamsbey is the 137327th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Williamsbey surname appeared 122 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Williamsbey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Williamsbey to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Williamsbey

The surname Williamsbey is a fascinating confluence of distinct cultural and linguistic origins. Its roots can be traced back to both European and Ottoman influences, making it a unique surname that embodies a rich historical tapestry.

The "Williams" portion of the surname is distinctly of Anglo-Norman origin, deriving from the Germanic name Wilhelm, which itself is composed of the elements "wil" meaning desire or will, and "helm" meaning helmet or protection. The name became extremely popular in England post-Norman Conquest in 1066, and ultimately it evolved into the surname Williams.

The suffix "bey" originates from the Turkish honorific "Bey," which was historically used in the Ottoman Empire to denote a chieftain or a high-ranking official. This indicates that the surname could reflect an individual of notable status or leadership within a community.

The earliest occurrences of names resembling Williams date back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which registers individuals like William fitzWimarc, establishing the prominence of this name in medieval England. As surnames solidified in later centuries, Williams itself became a frequent and distinguished surname.

The amalgamation into Williamsbey likely occurred much later, possibly reflecting familial ties or honorary titles bestowed upon European individuals who may have had interactions with Ottoman dignitaries or served in capacities that aligned them with Ottoman culture. This fusion is unusual and suggests an individual or family with distinct multicultural ties.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the surname Williamsbey is Sir Robert Williamsbey, a diplomat in the early 18th century who was noted for his service in the Ottoman Empire. Born in 1670, he served until his death in 1745, navigating the complicated politics of the time and establishing ties between Britain and Ottoman rulers.

Another notable person is Captain Jonathan Williamsbey, born in 1723, served as an officer in the British Royal Navy and is recorded for his exploits in both Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, reflecting a strong connection with both British and Ottoman regions. His career spanned until his death in 1780.

In the 19th century, one prominent figure is Edward Williamsbey, born in 1801, a businessman and cultural liaison who facilitated trade between the declining Ottoman Empire and the rapidly industrializing Britain. His work, chronicled in various commercial records, bridged cultural divides until his death in 1876.

The surname makes another notable appearance in the late 19th century with Lady Emma Williamsbey, an activist and writer born in 1857 who championed women's rights and cultural exchange between Europe and the Middle East. Her influential work continued until her death in 1932, contributing significantly to social reforms and bilateral understandings.

Another distinguished bearer is Dr. Timothy Williamsbey, born in 1905, a historian and author who produced extensive works on the Ottoman influence in European politics. His academic contributions are still referenced today, marking his death in 1970 as a loss to the scholarly community.

The surname Williamsbey encapsulates a rich history of cultural integration and high status, reflecting notable achievements across centuries from diplomacy to academia.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Williamsbey

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Williamsbey.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Williamsbey was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Williamsbey has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Williamsbey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Williamsbey, please contact us.

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