Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “Wilson” come from?

Wilson, an English surname, derives from the patronymic "will" combined with the suffix "-son," ultimately tracing to the personal name Will.

Ancestry of “Wilson”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishWillA weak-side linebacker
2Englishwilliam—
3Middle EnglishWilliam—
4Anglo-NormanWillame—
5Old High GermanWillahelmWilliam
6Old High Germanhelmhelmet
7Proto-West Germanichelmhelmet
8Proto-Germanichelmazhelmet
9Proto-Germanichalmazhalm; stem; stalk; straw; hay
10Proto-Indo-Europeanḱolh₂mosstalk
11Proto-Indo-Europeanḱelh₂-to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab

Words derived from “Wilson”

  • Wilsonian
  • Wilsonianism
  • Wilson
  • ウィルソン
  • Wilson
  • Wilson
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ḱelh₂- →