UK surname
A surname derived from a Germanic personal name meaning "healthy" or "strong".
In the 1881 census there were 74 people recorded with the Vallentine surname, ranking it #23,062 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #23,062 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Barking, Walthamstow, Low Leyton and Charlton-near-Dover. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Vallentine is 120 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.5%.
1881 census count
74
Ranked #23,062
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1851
120 bearers
Map years
2
1851 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Vallentine surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Vallentine surname density by area, 1861 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 | 120 | #15,144 |
| 1861 | historical | 116 | #18,751 |
| 1881 | historical | 74 | #23,062 |
| 1891 | historical | 94 | #24,820 |
| 1901 | historical | 95 | #23,462 |
| 1911 | historical | 34 | #29,600 |
| 1997 | modern | 16 | #36,292 |
| 1998 | modern | 17 | #36,240 |
| 1999 | modern | 17 | #36,261 |
| 2000 | modern | 16 | #36,316 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 17 | #36,164 |
| 2003 | modern | 14 | #36,512 |
| 2004 | modern | 16 | #36,439 |
| 2005 | modern | 15 | #36,621 |
| 2006 | modern | 15 | #36,707 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 17 | #36,699 |
| 2009 | modern | 21 | #36,470 |
| 2010 | modern | 20 | #36,599 |
| 2011 | modern | 14 | #37,115 |
| 2012 | modern | 10 | #37,509 |
| 2013 | modern | 9 | #37,653 |
| 2014 | modern | 11 | #37,462 |
| 2015 | modern | 10 | #37,563 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Barking, Walthamstow, Low Leyton, Charlton-near-Dover, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. 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 | Barking | Essex |
| 2 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 3 | Charlton-near-Dover | Kent |
| 4 | Dover St James, Dover St Mary | Kent |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Vallentine 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 Vallentine, 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 Vallentine surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Vallentine 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, Vallentine 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 Vallentine is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Vallentine, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Vallentine is of English origin, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to be a locational name derived from the Old French words "val" meaning valley and "entin" or "antien," referring to an ancient or old place. This suggests that the name may have originated from a place called "Vallentin" or a similar-sounding location.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1230, where it appears as "Walentin." This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time. Another early reference comes from the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273, where it is listed as "Valentyn."
During the 13th century, the name Vallentine was also documented in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, indicating its presence in various regions of England. The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landowners and estates in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the Vallentine surname.
Notable individuals who bore this surname include John Vallentine, a landowner in Somerset, England, who was mentioned in records dating back to 1488. Another early bearer of the name was William Vallentine, a merchant from London, who was recorded in the city's archives in the early 16th century.
One of the earliest known Vallentines to have made a significant impact was Richard Vallentine, a prominent English banker and financier who lived from 1673 to 1748. He was a member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers and played a crucial role in the development of the English banking system.
In the literary world, Benjamin Vallentine, an English writer and poet, gained recognition for his works published in the late 18th century, including "Poems on Various Subjects" (1792) and "The Muse's Consolation" (1798).
Another noteworthy figure was Captain James Vallentine, a British naval officer born in 1781, who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was commended for his bravery and leadership in several naval battles.
Lastly, Sir John Vallentine, born in 1845, was a prominent British industrialist and philanthropist. He made significant contributions to the development of the textile industry in England and played a vital role in improving working conditions for factory workers.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Vallentine 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. Middlesex leads with 18 Vallentines recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.49x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 18 | 2.49x |
| Angus | 11 | 16.45x |
| Essex | 9 | 6.32x |
| Buckinghamshire | 5 | 11.46x |
| Surrey | 5 | 1.42x |
| Aberdeenshire | 4 | 5.99x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.62x |
| Dunbartonshire | 3 | 15.47x |
| Durham | 3 | 1.40x |
| Nottinghamshire | 3 | 3.08x |
| Perthshire | 2 | 6.17x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 1.85x |
| Fife | 1 | 2.34x |
| Hertfordshire | 1 | 2.01x |
| Kincardineshire | 1 | 11.38x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.12x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 1.47x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.14x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leyton in Essex leads with 9 Vallentines recorded in 1881 and an index of 367.35x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leyton | 9 | 367.35x |
| Brechin | 7 | 266.16x |
| St Gilesin Fields | 7 | 1666.67x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 7.95x |
| Wing | 5 | 1250.00x |
| Pembury | 4 | 1142.86x |
| St George Hanover | 4 | 42.46x |
| Cardross | 3 | 128.76x |
| Kinellar | 3 | 2142.86x |
| St Pancras London | 3 | 5.17x |
| Walkeringham | 3 | 1666.67x |
| Westoe | 3 | 24.65x |
| Clunie | 2 | 1428.57x |
| Kirriemuir | 2 | 121.21x |
| Logie Pert | 2 | 800.00x |
| Aberdeen St Nicholas | 1 | 8.00x |
| Barrow In Furness | 1 | 8.58x |
| Bengeo | 1 | 172.41x |
| Cosgrove | 1 | 625.00x |
| Fetteresso | 1 | 72.46x |
| Forgan | 1 | 121.95x |
| Girvan | 1 | 73.53x |
| Islington London | 1 | 1.43x |
| Manningham | 1 | 11.35x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 3.77x |
| St Andrew Holborn | 1 | 40.82x |
| St Giles In Fields | 1 | 40.16x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Vallentine surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Vallentine 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 Vallentine households.
FAQ
In 1881, 74 people were recorded with the Vallentine surname. That placed it at #23,062 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Vallentine a modern rank of #37,599.
A surname derived from a Germanic personal name meaning "healthy" or "strong".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Vallentine 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.