NomOrigine Background

Last Name Guille

What is the origin of the last name Guille?

The surname "Guille" is of French origin. It is derived from a number of given names that were popular in France such as Guillaume (William) and Hugues (Hugh). In medieval times, it was common for people to adopt surnames based on their personal name or the occupation of the head of their household. In this case, the name "Guille" could be a diminutive form of Guillaume or Hugues, shortened over time into a family name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Guille

The meaning and origin of the last name Guille

The surname Guille (or Guillaume) is of French origin, derived from the given name "Guillaume" which translates to "william" in English. It is an ancient name that has been passed down through generations and is common among the populations of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and other French-speaking regions. The name Guillaume was brought to prominence by William the Conqueror, who invaded England in 1066 and became its king. Over time, various forms of the name have developed across Europe, such as "Guille" in Spain, "Giulio" in Italy, and "Julius" in Latin. The surname Guille is a patrimonial name, meaning that it was originally given to the son of a man named Guillaume, indicating his family's lineage and heritage. Today, individuals with the surname Guille can be found all around the world, carrying on the legacy of their forebears.

Geographical distribution of the last name Guille

The surname Guille is predominantly found in France, particularly in regions such as Brittany and Normandy, where it originates from the medieval occupation of miller or grain measurer, derived from the Old French word "moulin" (mill). Variations of this name, including Guillot, Guillon, and Guillemin, are also common within these areas. Beyond France, descendants of French immigrants have spread the surname to various parts of the world, with significant populations found in countries such as Canada, the United States, and several nations in South America and Africa, particularly those with historical ties to France. In these diasporic communities, Guille or its variations may retain a distinct cultural identity rooted in their French ancestry.

Variants and spellings of the last name Guille

The surname Guille has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Some common variants include: Guillaume (French), Guillermo (Spanish), Wilhelm (German), Guglielmo (Italian), and Guilherme (Portuguese). These names are derived from the Old High German "Wilhelm," meaning "resolute protector." Other less common variations of the name could include Gwilliam, Gwilym, or Willem, which may be found among Welsh, Cornish, or Dutch speakers. It is also possible to encounter Guill in French-speaking regions, a shortened version of the original surname. The spelling and pronunciation can change based on local dialects and historical periods.

Famous people with the last name Guille

The Guille surname has produced several notable figures across various fields. In the realm of sports, Guillermo Guille, born in Argentina in 1962, was a professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world number 43 in 1987. In literature, Jean Guillemin (born 1951), a French author and journalist, has published numerous works, including "The Exile's House" and "The Last Arab," which were critically acclaimed for their exploration of human rights issues. From the world of entertainment, Jean-Marc Guillou (1937–2005) was a French actor and comedian who starred in numerous films and TV shows, earning him two César Awards, France's equivalent to the Oscars. Lastly, within the scientific community, Alain Guille-Allouch (born 1956), a French researcher, is known for his work in plant genetics, particularly his contributions to the understanding of gene expression in plants. These individuals exemplify the diverse talents and achievements associated with the Guille surname.

Genealogical research on the last name Guille

The surname Guille (or Guillaume) is of French origin and derives from the personal name "Guillaume," which means "willful protector" in Old High German, popularized by Saint William of Normandy, also known as William the Conqueror. This Norman-French name was brought to England during the Norman Conquest in 1066 and subsequently spread throughout Europe. The Guille lineage can be traced back to various regions in France such as Brittany, Normandy, and Languedoc, with notable branches established in Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles following the Norman conquest of England. In later centuries, families bearing the name Guille can be found in North America due to emigration from Europe during the colonial era. Notable individuals with the surname include William Guille, a 17th-century French pirate, and Thomas Guille, an early settler in Virginia who served as a juror during the trial of Pocahontas in 1618. The Guille family has a rich history, with roots that span multiple continents and centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 13 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Guiad (Last name)

surnames > guiad

The surname "Guiad" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guie," meaning "leader" or "guide," and was likely used as a nickname for someone who acted in a le...

Guialdo (Last name)

surnames > guialdo

The surname "Guialdo" is of Italian origin. It comes from various places in Italy, primarily from regions such as Umbria, Lazio, and Marche. The name is derived from a place or a p...

Guiamad (Last name)

surnames > guiamad

The surname "Guiamad" is believed to have originated from the Catalan region of Spain. It is likely derived from a place name or a personal name that was then adopted as a surname ...

Guiamadil (Last name)

surnames > guiamadil

The last name "Guiamadil" is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic word "wadi", meaning "valley". It is a common surname in Arabic-speaking regions.

Guiamal (Last name)

surnames > guiamal

The last name Guíamal originated in South America, specifically in Colombia. It is derived from indigenous languages of the region and may have originated from a specific ethnic g...

Guiambangan (Last name)

surnames > guiambangan

The last name Guiambangan originates from the Philippines. It is a surname of Filipino origin.

Guiao-gonzales (Last name)

surnames > guiao-gonzales

The surname Guiao Gonzales is of Spanish origin. Guiao is likely to be a Spanish surname, possibly derived from a place name, while Gonzales is a common Spanish surname meaning "so...

Guibo (Last name)

surnames > guibo

The last name "Guibo" is of French origin. It is believed to be a variant of the surname "Gibault", which is derived from the Latin personal name "Gibbo" or "Gib.

Guibson (Last name)

surnames > guibson

The last name "Guibson" is of English origin. It is derived from the medieval personal name "Gib" or "Gibbe," which is a pet form of the name "Gilbert." The suffix "-son" indicates...

Guichandut (Last name)

surnames > guichandut

The surname Guichandut is of Basque origin. It is derived from the Basque words "gui" meaning fog or mist, and "chandut" meaning diligent or hardworking.

Guichaux (Last name)

surnames > guichaux

The surname Guichaux is believed to be of French origin. It is likely derived from the Old French word "guichet," meaning small window or little opening. This surname may have been...

Guicherd (Last name)

surnames > guicherd

The last name Guicherd is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guichard," which means "martial ruler" or "war leader."

Guicheteau (Last name)

surnames > guicheteau

The surname Guicheteau is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "guichet," which means "window" or "small opening," and the suffix "-eau," which is typical of Fr...

Guidah (Last name)

surnames > guidah

The origin of the last name "Guidah" is not clear and there is limited information available about its specific origin or meaning. It is possible that the name has different origin...

Guided (Last name)

surnames > guided

The last name "Guided" is likely of English origin, derived from the Old English word "gida" meaning guide or leader. It may have originally been a nickname for someone who was a g...