NameCensus.

UK surname

Duval

From the French place name Duval, meaning "of the valley" or "from the valley."

In the 1881 census there were 209 people recorded with the Duval surname, ranking it #12,475 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 606, ranked #8,646, up from #12,475 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford and Waltham Forest.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Duval is 623 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 190.0%.

1881 census count

209

Ranked #12,475

Modern count

606

2016, ranked #8,646

Peak year

2010

623 bearers

Map years

7

1881 to 2016

Key insights

  • Duval had 209 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,475 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 606 in 2016, ranked #8,646.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 301 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Duval surname distribution map

The map shows where the Duval surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Duval surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Duval over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 95 #17,707
1861 historical 79 #23,702
1881 historical 209 #12,475
1891 historical 172 #16,663
1901 historical 301 #11,627
1911 historical 283 #11,883
1997 modern 506 #9,218
1998 modern 533 #9,135
1999 modern 540 #9,107
2000 modern 549 #8,956
2001 modern 526 #9,112
2002 modern 555 #8,919
2003 modern 529 #9,109
2004 modern 527 #9,157
2005 modern 529 #9,066
2006 modern 511 #9,331
2007 modern 555 #8,841
2008 modern 544 #9,041
2009 modern 587 #8,733
2010 modern 623 #8,533
2011 modern 594 #8,760
2012 modern 592 #8,696
2013 modern 609 #8,636
2014 modern 611 #8,681
2015 modern 600 #8,738
2016 modern 606 #8,646

Geography

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Where Duvals are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff, London parishes, St Pancras and Millom, Muncaster. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Waltham Forest, Bromley and Ashford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Bristol City: St Mary Redcliff Gloucestershire
2 London parishes London 1
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Millom, Muncaster Cumberland

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Blackburn with Darwen 011 Blackburn with Darwen
2 Bradford 004 Bradford
3 Waltham Forest 027 Waltham Forest
4 Bromley 012 Bromley
5 Ashford 013 Ashford

Forenames

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First names often paired with Duval

These lists show first names that appear often with the Duval surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Duval

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Duval, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Duval surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Duval household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Duval is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Duval is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Duval falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Duval is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Duval, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Duval

The surname DUVAL originates from France and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French words "du val" or "de val," which translates to "of the valley." This suggests that the name was initially given to someone who lived or worked in a valley.

The earliest recorded instances of the DUVAL surname can be traced back to the 12th century in various regions of France, such as Normandy, Brittany, and Île-de-France. It was often associated with place names that incorporated the word "val," indicating the geographical location where the family or individual resided.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Guillaume DUVAL was mentioned in the records of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris. Another individual, Renaud DUVAL, was listed in the tax rolls of the city of Rouen in the year 1292.

During the 14th century, the DUVAL surname appeared in several historical documents, including the Livre des Bourgeois de Caen (Book of the Bourgeois of Caen), which recorded the names of prominent citizens in the city of Caen, Normandy. One entry from 1346 listed a certain Robert DUVAL.

In the 15th century, a famous French poet and playwright named Claude DUVAL was born in Clermont, Normandy (c. 1425–c. 1495). He is best known for his work titled "La Vie et Testament de Monseigneur de Grignaux," which satirized the nobility.

Another notable figure bearing the DUVAL surname was Pierre DUVAL (1618–1683), a French geographer and cartographer who served as the cartographer to the King of France. He published numerous maps and atlases during his lifetime, including the influential "La Géographie Universelle" (1660).

In the 18th century, a French painter named Aimé DUVAL (1760–1820) gained recognition for his historical and mythological paintings, as well as his portraits of notable figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte.

Throughout history, the DUVAL surname has been associated with various professions and social classes, from poets and artists to scholars and landowners. Its origin and prevalence in France reflect the name's deep-rooted connection to the country's history and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Duval families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Duval surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Channel Islands leads with 41 Duvals recorded in 1881 and an index of 58.86x.

County Total Index
Channel Islands 41 58.86x
Middlesex 38 1.62x
Leicestershire 24 9.21x
Lancashire 22 0.79x
Kent 18 2.24x
Surrey 15 1.31x
Worcestershire 13 4.23x
Cumberland 10 4.94x
Somerset 8 2.11x
Staffordshire 8 1.01x
Yorkshire 8 0.34x
Hampshire 7 1.45x
Sussex 6 1.51x
Warwickshire 6 1.01x
Essex 4 0.86x
Argyllshire 3 4.58x
Gloucestershire 2 0.43x
Lanarkshire 2 0.26x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.67x
Cheshire 1 0.19x
Cornwall 1 0.38x
Hertfordshire 1 0.62x
Monmouthshire 1 0.59x
Pembrokeshire 1 1.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Helier in Channel Islands leads with 22 Duvals recorded in 1881 and an index of 97.00x.

Place Total Index
St Helier 22 97.00x
Leicester St Margaret 12 18.88x
Millom 10 161.29x
Kings Norton 9 32.69x
St Pancras London 9 4.76x
Ealing 8 38.08x
Humberstone 7 327.10x
Aston 6 3.68x
Preston 6 8.04x
St Martin In Fields 6 42.64x
St Saviour 6 155.84x
Eastbourne 5 27.41x
Hunslet 5 13.77x
Stone 5 49.26x
Tonbridge 5 17.28x
West Derby 5 6.13x
Weston Super Mare 5 52.30x
Broughton In Salford 4 15.68x
Castle Hedingham 4 476.19x
Erith 4 50.63x
Kensington London 4 3.06x
Leicester All Sts 4 78.13x
Newington 4 4.61x
Portsea 4 4.24x
St Anne 4 322.58x
Bedminster 3 8.44x
Bexley 3 42.31x
Dunoon 3 222.22x
Lambeth 3 1.46x
North Meols 3 10.99x
Southampton St Mary 3 9.90x
St Lawrence 3 157.89x
Streatham 3 17.20x
Trinity 3 186.34x
Yardley 3 38.22x
Camberwell 2 1.33x
Charlton Kings 2 62.70x
Deal 2 29.24x
Glasgow 2 1.48x
Paddington London 2 2.31x
Southwark St George Martyr 2 4.23x
Spotland 2 6.45x
St Giles Cripplegate 2 64.10x
St Marylebone London 2 1.59x
St Peter Port 2 15.52x
Battersea 1 1.16x
Birkenhead 1 2.42x
Boxley 1 81.30x
Bradford 1 1.77x
Brighton 1 1.25x
Chelsea London 1 1.41x
Clerkenwell London 1 1.80x
Edenbridge 1 63.69x
Edmonton 1 5.28x
Gravesend 1 14.73x
Hemsworth 1 74.63x
Hitchin 1 13.68x
Horton In Bradford 1 2.75x
Islington London 1 0.44x
Layton With Warbreck 1 9.77x
Leicester St Leonard 1 40.49x
Leigh 1 95.24x
Liverpool 1 0.59x
Marston 1 185.19x
Milford Haven 1 163.93x
Padstow 1 56.50x
Ribbesford 1 39.22x
St George Martyr London 1 21.01x
St John 1 75.19x
St Woollos 1 5.27x
Wall 1 1111.11x
Walsall Foreign 1 2.44x
Wisbech St Peter 1 13.39x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Duval surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 13
Elizabeth 9
Alice 5
Charlotte 5
Emma 5
Clara 4
Ellen 4
Hannah 4
Sarah 4
Amy 3
Edith 3
Eliza 3
Emily 3
Fanny 3
Henrietta 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Ann 2
Anne 2
Augusta 2
Catharine 2
Catherine 2
Florence 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Marie 2
Amelie 1
Beattie 1
Bonne 1
Carolin 1
Clarissa 1
Clemence 1
Elizath. 1
Emelie 1
Ethel 1
Eugenie 1
Frances 1
Georgina 1
Gertrude 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Hortense 1
Julia 1
Kezire 1
Liza 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marguerite 1
Marianne 1
Violet 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Duval surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 11
George 10
Thomas 10
William 5
James 4
Charles 3
Ernest 3
Louis 3
Felix 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Herbert 2
Jean 2
Josue 2
Lewis 2
Peter 2
Reuben 2
Stephen 2
Walter 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Amos 1
August 1
Claude 1
David 1
Doninique 1
Edward 1
Edwin 1
Emile 1
Francais 1
Francis 1
Fred 1
Gustave 1
Heaton 1
Henry 1
Herb.Ph. 1
Jesse 1
Jonathan 1
Joseph 1
Leonard 1
Love 1
Norris 1
Philip 1
Richard 1
Richd. 1
Robert 1
Sacharice 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Westgaith 1

FAQ

Duval surname: questions and answers

How common was the Duval surname in 1881?

In 1881, 209 people were recorded with the Duval surname. That placed it at #12,475 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Duval surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 606 in 2016. That gives Duval a modern rank of #8,646.

What does the Duval surname mean?

From the French place name Duval, meaning "of the valley" or "from the valley."

What does the Duval map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Duval bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.