According to the Surname Database, Wilmot is of English with Germanic pre 7th century origins. It is a diminutive of the personal name “Wilhelm”, plus the diminutive suffix ‘et(t) or “ot(t)” meaning ‘little’ or possibly ‘son of’. In fact this surname is also used frequently as a woman’s first name.
Tracing back further than Benjamin Wilmot is and will probably continue to be difficult until a new set of records is discovered or DNA evidence comes to light. I have tentatively linked him to Harry and Ann Wilmot of Northill, Bedfordshire as this is the only extant record I find that makes sense. This link should be taken for what it is, a shot in the dark unsupported by what we know.
On the 2nd of May 1648, “Old Goodman Willmote and Samuel March took the oath of fidellitie” in New Haven, Connecticut. His son, Benjamin, had been in New Haven since, at least 1641. On May 1, 1654, “Old Goodman Willmot desired the court that his son may be freed from training which was considered, and with reference to his own age, his wife’s weakness, and their living on a farm, his son was freed.” He was about fourscore when he died in 1669.
This Wilmot family is the root of many families in New England.
My own branch passes through Benjamin’s great-grandson Timothy Wilmot. Timothy enlisted in the Revolutionary Army on May 20, 1777 and was a bombadier in Capt. John’s Company of the batallion of the artillery commanded by John Lamb. He deserted March 4, 1780. A deserter’s list from West Point notes: “light complexion, light hair and eyes, 5’9″ height, 23 years old.” Before the war was over he moved to Thetford, Vermont and married Mary/Polly Copp. Pay stubs at the National Archives indicate where he was for each payment. Timothy settled in north-west corner of Norwich, VT as early as 1782. Many of his family moved to Thetford, VT.
My line continues in Vermont for most of the next century. Timothy’s great grandson, Haviland George Wilmot moved to Denver, Colorado and married Florence McColl. (see McColl Family Page) He worked at Summit Fuel and Feed in Denver. Haviland and Florence had one son, Don Carlos (Carl) Wilmot (named after his grandfather, named after a King of Spain who sold sheep to farmers in Vermont). Carl became a Denver policeman.