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

Wilms, 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 Wilms surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilms in America

Wilms is the 28967th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilms surname appeared 820 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 Wilms.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilms 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 Wilms

The surname Wilms originates from Germany and is believed to have roots dating back to the medieval period, around the 13th or 14th century. This surname is prevalent in regions such as Rhineland, Westphalia, and broader North Rhine-Westphalia. It is an example of a patrynomic surname, derived from Wilhem or Wilhelm, the Germanic form of William, which means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior."

The name Wilms is an offshoot of the older Germanic name Wilhlem, where the 'm' in Wilms signifies a diminutive or familiar form of Wilhelm. Other similar spellings can include Wilmes and Wylms. These variations were common before the standardization of spelling in both written and recorded media.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Wilms can be found in civic records of Cologne from the late 14th century, reflecting the name's prominence in the area. The name appears in property and tax records, noting local landowners and small-scale nobility bearing the surname Wilms.

Notable historical figures include Johann Wilms, a German composer and musician born in 1772 and died in 1847, who was known for his contributions to classical music and national anthems. Another prominent figure is Aaron Wilms, a 16th-century merchant from Frankfurt, whose trading enterprises significantly impacted the Hanseatic League's expansions.

In the scholarly realm, Karl Wilms (1879-1966), a pioneering pathologist, contributed significantly to medical science, particularly known for identifying nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor), a malignant kidney tumor. His research has had a lasting influence on pediatric oncology.

Another notable individual is Franz Wilms, a 19th-century botanist born in 1878, whose extensive work categorized several plant species in South Africa. His contributions to botanical nomenclature are documented in various scientific journals and manuscripts of that era.

Finally, Erich Wilms (1901-1942), a German pilot during World War I, became known for his courageous flying strategies and was awarded several medals for his bravery. His name has been mentioned in military history books and journals of the early 20th century.

Throughout history, the surname Wilms has been associated with various influential figures and significant historical contributions, reflecting its deep-rooted origin and enduring presence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilms

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

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 Wilms 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 Wilms 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 Wilms was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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