NameCensus.

UK surname

Walia

A placename surname referring to someone from Wallia, an old name for Wales.

In the 1881 census there were 2 people recorded with the Walia surname, ranking it #33,721 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 646, ranked #8,212, up from #33,721 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames and Hillingdon.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walia is 675 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 32200.0%.

1881 census count

2

Ranked #33,721

Modern count

646

2016, ranked #8,212

Peak year

2010

675 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Walia had 2 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,721 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016, ranked #8,212.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 6 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Walia surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walia surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walia 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
1861 historical 6 #33,230
1881 historical 2 #33,721
1891 historical 1 #34,674
1997 modern 368 #11,719
1998 modern 367 #12,121
1999 modern 382 #11,843
2000 modern 410 #11,204
2001 modern 423 #10,757
2002 modern 455 #10,349
2003 modern 507 #9,391
2004 modern 510 #9,374
2005 modern 533 #9,008
2006 modern 560 #8,706
2007 modern 581 #8,564
2008 modern 597 #8,452
2009 modern 627 #8,307
2010 modern 675 #7,995
2011 modern 660 #8,064
2012 modern 656 #8,011
2013 modern 669 #8,021
2014 modern 669 #8,069
2015 modern 667 #8,026
2016 modern 646 #8,212

Geography

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Where Walias 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 Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames and Hillingdon. 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 Hounslow 016 Hounslow
2 Richmond upon Thames 013 Richmond upon Thames
3 Hounslow 013 Hounslow
4 Hounslow 017 Hounslow
5 Hillingdon 030 Hillingdon

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walia

These lists show first names that appear often with the Walia 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 Walia

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Walia, 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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Walia surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Walia household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Walia is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Walia 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

Walia falls in decile 4 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.

4
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Walia 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
Asian - Indian

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

Meaning and origin of Walia

The surname WALIA has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 11th or 12th century. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "vali," which means "strength" or "valor."

In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata, there are references to individuals who possessed great strength and bravery, often described as "valis." It is possible that the name WALIA was initially given to individuals who exhibited such qualities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WALIA can be found in the Ain-i-Akbari, a 16th-century Persian language record compiled during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The text mentions a warrior named Malik Walia, who served as a military commander under the emperor.

During the Mughal era, the WALIA surname was particularly prevalent in the region of Punjab, which was a hub of military activity and recruitment. Many individuals bearing this name served in the armies of the Mughal Empire, contributing to its expansion and consolidation.

In the 18th century, a notable figure named Jassa Singh Walia (1718-1805) emerged as a powerful leader of the Sikh Confederacy. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Sikh Empire and is renowned for his military prowess and leadership skills.

Another prominent individual with the WALIA surname was Kunwar Vir Singh Walia (1856-1938), a celebrated Punjabi poet and writer. He is regarded as a pioneer of modern Punjabi literature and made significant contributions to the cultural and literary landscape of the region.

Sardar Ujjal Singh Walia (1901-1982) was a distinguished Indian politician who served as the Governor of Punjab from 1966 to 1972. He was also a member of the Indian National Congress and played an active role in the country's independence movement.

It is worth noting that the WALIA surname is not limited to a specific region or community within India. Over time, it has spread to various parts of the country and even abroad, with individuals of diverse backgrounds adopting or bearing this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Walia families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walia 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. Northumberland leads with 1 Walias recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.93x.

County Total Index
Northumberland 1 69.93x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Wallsend in Northumberland leads with 1 Walias recorded in 1881 and an index of 2000.00x.

Place Total Index
Wallsend 1 2000.00x

Top male names

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

Name Count
Andrew 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 Walia households.

Occupation Count
General Labourer 1

FAQ

Walia surname: questions and answers

How common was the Walia surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2 people were recorded with the Walia surname. That placed it at #33,721 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Walia surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 646 in 2016. That gives Walia a modern rank of #8,212.

What does the Walia surname mean?

A placename surname referring to someone from Wallia, an old name for Wales.

What does the Walia map show?

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