UK surname
A surname referring to a brave, courageous, or valiant person.
In the 1881 census there were 100 people recorded with the Valiant surname, ranking it #19,750 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 75, ranked #33,377, down from #19,750 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gazeley, London parishes and Lytham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Valiant is 137 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 25.0%.
1881 census count
100
Ranked #19,750
Modern count
75
2016, ranked #33,377
Peak year
1901
137 bearers
Map years
4
1881 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Valiant surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Valiant surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 76 | #20,127 |
| 1861 | historical | 89 | #22,419 |
| 1881 | historical | 100 | #19,750 |
| 1891 | historical | 114 | #22,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 137 | #19,032 |
| 1911 | historical | 125 | #19,932 |
| 1997 | modern | 81 | #29,436 |
| 1998 | modern | 82 | #29,754 |
| 1999 | modern | 86 | #29,496 |
| 2000 | modern | 83 | #29,809 |
| 2001 | modern | 85 | #29,396 |
| 2002 | modern | 91 | #29,181 |
| 2003 | modern | 89 | #29,380 |
| 2004 | modern | 81 | #30,569 |
| 2005 | modern | 83 | #30,486 |
| 2006 | modern | 81 | #31,044 |
| 2007 | modern | 81 | #31,408 |
| 2008 | modern | 80 | #31,833 |
| 2009 | modern | 75 | #32,733 |
| 2010 | modern | 79 | #32,759 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 73 | #33,557 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 72 | #33,595 |
| 2016 | modern | 75 | #33,377 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gazeley, London parishes, Lytham, Liverpool and St Giles Camberwell. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gazeley | Cambridgeshire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Lytham | Lancashire |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | St Giles Camberwell | London (South Districts) |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Valiant surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Valiant, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Valiant surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Valiant household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Valiant is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Valiant is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Valiant, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Valiant is of French origin, derived from the Old French word "vaillant" meaning "brave" or "valiant." It first emerged in the 12th century and was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who exhibited exceptional courage or bravery.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the Valiant surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Valiant." This suggests that the name was originally associated with a specific place or location in France.
By the 13th century, the name had spread across various regions of France, including Normandy and Brittany. It was often spelled as "Vaillant" or "Vailant" in historical documents from this period.
In England, the Valiant surname is believed to have been introduced by Norman settlers following the Norman Conquest in 1066. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in England dates back to 1273, when a certain Robert Valiant was listed in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Valiant surname. One of the most famous was Sir John Valiant (c. 1440-1508), an English military commander who served under King Henry VII and played a crucial role in the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487.
Another prominent figure was Sir Thomas Valiant (1575-1640), an English diplomat and member of Parliament during the reign of King James I. He was instrumental in negotiating several important treaties with foreign nations.
In the realm of literature, the French writer Charles Valiant (1614-1687) was a notable figure of the 17th century. He is best known for his satirical works, including "Le Misanthrope" and "Les Femmes Savantes."
The American Civil War saw the emergence of a notable figure named Philip J. Valiant (1836-1915), a Union Army officer who fought in several major battles and later served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.
In more recent times, the British actor Jack Valiant (1890-1966) gained recognition for his roles in numerous films and television shows, including the popular series "The Avengers" in the 1960s.
These examples illustrate the rich history and global reach of the Valiant surname, which has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, all united by the common thread of bravery and valor.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Valiant surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 38 Valiants recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.28x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 38 | 3.28x |
| Surrey | 24 | 5.05x |
| Norfolk | 14 | 9.33x |
| Suffolk | 12 | 10.10x |
| Middlesex | 7 | 0.72x |
| Kent | 2 | 0.60x |
| Worcestershire | 2 | 1.57x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.32x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Camberwell in Surrey leads with 12 Valiants recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.26x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Camberwell | 12 | 19.26x |
| Everton | 10 | 27.11x |
| Bermondsey | 6 | 20.66x |
| Pendleton In Salford | 6 | 43.51x |
| Thorpe Abbotts | 6 | 7500.00x |
| Croydon | 5 | 18.95x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 7.11x |
| West Derby | 5 | 14.77x |
| Bungay St Mary | 4 | 677.97x |
| Wortwell | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Yoxford | 4 | 1142.86x |
| Ashton In Makerfield | 3 | 90.91x |
| Islington London | 3 | 3.17x |
| Leiston | 3 | 365.85x |
| Barrow In Furness | 2 | 12.71x |
| Deptford St Paul | 2 | 7.79x |
| Poulton Le Fylde | 2 | 487.80x |
| Redenhall | 2 | 344.83x |
| Shelsley Kings | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 4.73x |
| Walton On Hill | 2 | 31.90x |
| Dickleburgh | 1 | 357.14x |
| Eye | 1 | 129.87x |
| Glasgow | 1 | 1.79x |
| Great Eccleston | 1 | 476.19x |
| Great Yarmouth | 1 | 8.05x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 1.18x |
| Lancaster | 1 | 14.51x |
| Limehouse London | 1 | 9.34x |
| Preston | 1 | 3.23x |
| Willesden | 1 | 10.88x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Valiant surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 6 |
| Ann | 5 |
| Alice | 3 |
| Harriet | 3 |
| Ada | 2 |
| Annie | 2 |
| Ellen | 2 |
| Emily | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Amy | 1 |
| Anna | 1 |
| Anne | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Dorothy | 1 |
| Edith | 1 |
| Elisabeth | 1 |
| Eliz. | 1 |
| Eliza | 1 |
| Elizabeth | 1 |
| Emilie | 1 |
| Emma | 1 |
| Francis | 1 |
| Hagar | 1 |
| Hannah | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Jane | 1 |
| Josephine | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lillie | 1 |
| Louise | 1 |
| Mahalsa | 1 |
| Margaret | 1 |
| Maud | 1 |
| May | 1 |
| Mira | 1 |
| Nanny | 1 |
| Nellie | 1 |
| Rosamond | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Valiant surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Valiant households.
FAQ
In 1881, 100 people were recorded with the Valiant surname. That placed it at #19,750 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 75 in 2016. That gives Valiant a modern rank of #33,377.
A surname referring to a brave, courageous, or valiant person.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Valiant bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.