Where does “Gilliam” come from?
Gilliam comes from Anglo-Norman Willame, a variant form of William whose ultimate origin and meaning remain uncertain.
Ancestry of “Gilliam”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | William | radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter W |
| 2 | Anglo-Norman | Willame | — |
| 3 | Old High German | Willahelm | William |
| 4 | Old High German | helm | helmet |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | helm | helmet |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | helmaz | helmet |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | halmaz | halm; stem; stalk; straw; hay |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱolh₂mos | stalk |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |