NameCensus.

UK surname

Wahl

Derived from Middle High German "wal," referring to someone who came from a Romance-speaking country, particularly Italy or France.

In the 1881 census there were 15 people recorded with the Wahl surname, ranking it #31,451 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 102, ranked #30,722, up from #31,451 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Ipswich, Kensington and Chelsea and Chorley.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wahl is 108 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 580.0%.

1881 census count

15

Ranked #31,451

Modern count

102

2016, ranked #30,722

Peak year

2015

108 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wahl had 15 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #31,451 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016, ranked #30,722.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 36 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Wahl surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wahl surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wahl 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 2 #33,133
1861 historical 7 #33,053
1881 historical 15 #31,451
1891 historical 22 #32,449
1901 historical 31 #30,616
1911 historical 36 #29,370
1997 modern 61 #31,526
1998 modern 60 #31,931
1999 modern 68 #31,311
2000 modern 70 #31,180
2001 modern 67 #31,297
2002 modern 80 #30,387
2003 modern 86 #29,752
2004 modern 84 #30,244
2005 modern 81 #30,740
2006 modern 74 #31,850
2007 modern 70 #32,580
2008 modern 80 #31,833
2009 modern 84 #31,842
2010 modern 90 #31,621
2011 modern 89 #31,659
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 97 #31,239
2014 modern 106 #30,030
2015 modern 108 #29,512
2016 modern 102 #30,722

Geography

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Where Wahls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Ipswich, Kensington and Chelsea, Chorley, Teignbridge and Southend-on-Sea. 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 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Ipswich 006 Ipswich
2 Kensington and Chelsea 018 Kensington and Chelsea
3 Chorley 008 Chorley
4 Teignbridge 003 Teignbridge
5 Southend-on-Sea 004 Southend-on-Sea

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wahl

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

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wahl

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Wahl, 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 Wahl surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Wahl 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

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Wahl is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Wahl 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

Wahl falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wahl 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 Wahl, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Wahl

The surname WAHL is believed to have originated in Germany, where it first appeared in the 13th century. The name is derived from the Old German word "wal," meaning "foreign" or "stranger." It was likely given to someone who had moved to a new area or was a traveler from another region.

In its earliest recorded usage, the name was spelled "Wal" or "Wale." Over time, the spelling evolved to its modern form of "WAHL." Some of the earliest records of this surname can be found in medieval German documents and registers.

One of the earliest known bearers of the WAHL name was Johannes Wahl, a merchant and landowner who lived in the town of Nuremberg in the late 15th century (c. 1460-1520). Another notable figure was Heinrich Wahl, a German theologian and author who lived in the 16th century (c. 1510-1578).

The WAHL surname was also present in other parts of Europe, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands. In the 17th century, a Dutch family with the surname WAHL was recorded in the city of Amsterdam. One of its members, Jan Wahl (c. 1620-1687), was a prominent trader and merchant in the Dutch East Indies.

In the 18th century, a German-born clergyman named Johann Wahl (1712-1784) emigrated to America and became a prominent figure in the Pennsylvania Dutch community. He played a significant role in the establishment of the German Reformed Church in the American colonies.

Another notable bearer of the WAHL surname was the German-American artist and sculptor William Wahl (1849-1925). Born in Bavaria, he immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century and became known for his works depicting scenes from American history and Native American culture.

The WAHL name has also been associated with various place names, particularly in Germany. For example, the town of Wahlheim in the state of Hesse is believed to have derived its name from the WAHL surname. Additionally, the village of Wahl in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate likely originated from the same source.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wahl families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wahl 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. Middlesex leads with 12 Wahls recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.21x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 12 8.21x
Lanarkshire 1 2.12x
Midlothian 1 5.11x
Northumberland 1 4.60x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kensington London in Middlesex leads with 4 Wahls recorded in 1881 and an index of 49.26x.

Place Total Index
Kensington London 4 49.26x
Mile End New Town 3 1500.00x
Ratcliffe London 3 370.37x
Hampstead London 2 88.11x
Glasgow 1 11.92x
Leith North 1 2500.00x
North Shields 1 232.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Jane 2
Charlotte 1
Edith 1
Emma 1
Mary 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
Carl 2
Bruns 1
H. 1
Henry 1
Jacob 1
R. 1

Top occupations

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 Wahl households.

FAQ

Wahl surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wahl surname in 1881?

In 1881, 15 people were recorded with the Wahl surname. That placed it at #31,451 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wahl surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 102 in 2016. That gives Wahl a modern rank of #30,722.

What does the Wahl surname mean?

Derived from Middle High German "wal," referring to someone who came from a Romance-speaking country, particularly Italy or France.

What does the Wahl map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wahl 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.