This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of William,' from diminutive William-ot, used for both sexes. It existed in Cornwall as a girl's name till the close of the last century.

Williametta Cantatrix. Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi.

Willimett (without surname). Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi.

Gilemota Carrecke, Yorkshire Testamenta Eboracensia (Surtees Society).

Henry Wilmot, Cambridgeshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Wylymot Swynhird, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Matilda Wylymot, 1379: ibid.

1579. Hugh Wyllymott, of Knutsford, Cheshire: East Cheshire.

1583. Baptised — John, son of Wyllmott Scobeld: Reg. St. Columb Major.

1592. — Wulmott, daughter of Robert Edwardes: St. James, Clerkenwell.

1613. — Symon, s. Symon Wiflimott: St. Peter, Cornhill.

1631. Baptised — Wilmote, d. Patient Wilmote: Reg. St. Columb Major.

V. Willmott

May be a corruption of Guillemot, a name frequent in France in early times, derived from Guillaume, William.

For 350 years, the Derbyshire Wilmots, who have been honoured with three baronetcies, have been settled at Derby or at Cliaddesden in its neighbourhood (G.). Robert Wilmot, of Osmaston, was high sheriff of Derbyshire in 1689 (P.). There were Wilmots in Cambridgeshire in the 13th century (H. R.).

The Wilmots, who once possessed Long Marston, were the ancestors of the Earls of Rochester (CL). An old gentle family of Willymot owned the manor of Kelshall in the 17th century (Ch.). There is a tablet in All Saints' Church, Hertford, to Sheirecliffe Willymott, gent., who died in 1723, at the age of 24 (T.). Two Hertfordshire clerics bore the name of Wilmot last century, a rector of Stapleton and a rector of Digswell (Cl.). This name is also established in Derbyshire and Somerset.