Wilfrids

Wilfrids is the plural form of the given name Wilfrid and, less commonly, a surname. The name derives from the Old English Wilfrith, formed from wil meaning “will” or “desire” and frith meaning “peace” or “protection.” It was borne by several early English saints and bishops, which helped spread its use in medieval England and beyond. The name has appeared in various spellings, including Wilfrid, Wilfride, and Wilfried, and persists in modern times primarily in the form Wilfrid.

In contemporary use, Wilfrids is mainly employed to refer to multiple individuals named Wilfrid. The name continues to appear in historical and biographical contexts, and as a given name it remains in use in some English-speaking countries. Notable people named Wilfrid or Wilfrids include Saint Wilfrid of York (c. 633–709), a prominent 7th-century bishop; Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian prime minister who served in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; and Sir Wilfrid Grenfell, a physician and founder of the Grenfell Mission in Labrador. These figures illustrate the name’s long-standing presence in religious, political, and philanthropic histories.