UK surname
An occupational surname referring to a fuller, an individual who cleaned and thickened raw cloth during processing.
In the 1881 census there were 129 people recorded with the Walk surname, ranking it #17,013 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 74, ranked #33,441, down from #17,013 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Matlock, St Pancras and Margate. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walk is 308 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 42.6%.
1881 census count
129
Ranked #17,013
Modern count
74
2016, ranked #33,441
Peak year
1861
308 bearers
Map years
4
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Walk surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Walk 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 | 114 | #15,716 |
| 1861 | historical | 308 | #8,233 |
| 1881 | historical | 129 | #17,013 |
| 1891 | historical | 114 | #22,006 |
| 1901 | historical | 84 | #24,759 |
| 1911 | historical | 67 | #26,152 |
| 1997 | modern | 61 | #31,526 |
| 1998 | modern | 62 | #31,735 |
| 1999 | modern | 62 | #31,893 |
| 2000 | modern | 56 | #32,514 |
| 2001 | modern | 56 | #32,379 |
| 2002 | modern | 59 | #32,468 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 63 | #32,380 |
| 2005 | modern | 55 | #33,349 |
| 2006 | modern | 60 | #33,235 |
| 2007 | modern | 62 | #33,346 |
| 2008 | modern | 62 | #33,565 |
| 2009 | modern | 63 | #33,751 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 67 | #33,704 |
| 2012 | modern | 62 | #34,155 |
| 2013 | modern | 67 | #33,939 |
| 2014 | modern | 73 | #33,587 |
| 2015 | modern | 68 | #33,854 |
| 2016 | modern | 74 | #33,441 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Matlock, St Pancras, Margate, Cornwood and Ramsgate. 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 | Matlock | Derbyshire |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Margate | Kent |
| 4 | Cornwood | Devon |
| 5 | Ramsgate | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Walk 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 Walk, 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 Walk surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Walk 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, Walk 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 Walk is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Walk, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WALK is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "wealcan," which means "to walk" or "to roll." This name likely originated as a descriptive nickname for someone who walked with a distinctive gait or who frequently traveled on foot.
The earliest recorded instances of the WALK surname can be traced back to the 13th century. One of the earliest references is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1275, which mentions a William le Walke. The use of the prefix "le" or "the" was a common practice in medieval times, indicating the person's occupation or a distinguishing characteristic.
In the 14th century, the WALK surname appeared in various spellings, such as Walke, Walkere, and Walkar, reflecting the phonetic variations and scribal errors common in that era. The Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire from 1279 mentions a Nicholas le Walkar, while the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex from 1332 record a John Walkere.
Variations of the WALK surname can also be found in place names throughout England, such as Walkden in Lancashire, Walkerton in Nottinghamshire, and Walkington in Yorkshire. These place names likely originated from individuals bearing the WALK surname who settled in those areas.
Notable individuals with the WALK surname throughout history include:
1. John Walk (c. 1523-1594), an English composer and organist during the Renaissance period. 2. Ralph Walke (c. 1670-1768), an English colonial leader who served as the Secretary of the Colony of Virginia from 1691 to 1737. 3. Henry Walker (1676-1748), an English mathematician and inventor, best known for his contributions to the development of the modern watch. 4. William Wilkins Walk (1791-1865), an American politician and lawyer who served as the 18th Governor of North Carolina from 1857 to 1859. 5. Mary Walk (1820-1897), an English author and activist who campaigned for women's rights and education in the 19th century.
While the WALK surname may have originated as a descriptive nickname, it has evolved into a well-established surname with a rich history and notable bearers throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walk 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. Devon leads with 56 Walks recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.58x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Devon | 56 | 23.58x |
| Middlesex | 22 | 1.93x |
| Durham | 6 | 1.77x |
| Cornwall | 5 | 3.87x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.37x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 3.25x |
| Essex | 4 | 1.78x |
| Kent | 4 | 1.03x |
| Wiltshire | 3 | 2.97x |
| Surrey | 2 | 0.36x |
| Berkshire | 1 | 1.17x |
| Brecknockshire | 1 | 4.38x |
| Derbyshire | 1 | 0.56x |
| Somerset | 1 | 0.54x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.09x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Plymouth St Andrew in Devon leads with 23 Walks recorded in 1881 and an index of 125.68x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth St Andrew | 23 | 125.68x |
| Wembury | 12 | 5454.55x |
| St Pancras London | 8 | 8.71x |
| Cornwood | 7 | 1555.56x |
| Loddiswell | 7 | 2258.06x |
| Cockfield | 6 | 1276.60x |
| Barnby Moor | 5 | 5555.56x |
| Bootle Cum Linacre | 4 | 37.21x |
| Chelsea London | 4 | 11.63x |
| St Marylebone London | 4 | 6.57x |
| West Ham | 4 | 8.04x |
| Potterne Worton | 3 | 2307.69x |
| St Neot | 3 | 588.24x |
| Stoke Damerel | 3 | 18.05x |
| Erith | 2 | 52.08x |
| Newington | 2 | 4.75x |
| Plymstock | 2 | 161.29x |
| St George In East | 2 | 25.77x |
| Bulmer Stittenham | 1 | 769.23x |
| Frome | 1 | 22.78x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 1.56x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 3.56x |
| Islington London | 1 | 0.90x |
| Madron Penzance | 1 | 21.28x |
| Margate St John Baptist | 1 | 14.03x |
| Matlock | 1 | 41.67x |
| Penderyn | 1 | 161.29x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 1 | 9.56x |
| St Clement | 1 | 74.07x |
| St Giles In Fields | 1 | 25.38x |
| St Lawrence | 1 | 37.31x |
| Stonehouse East | 1 | 82.64x |
| Ulverston | 1 | 25.38x |
| Wokingham | 1 | 51.28x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Walk 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 Walk 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 Walk households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 21 |
| Farmer | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 2 |
| Baker | 2 |
| Confectioner | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| Gardener | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Carrier | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Carter (Ag Lab) | 1 |
| Cartman | 1 |
| Charwoman | 1 |
| Clay Laborer | 1 |
| Coachman | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farm Servant (Indoor) | 1 |
| Farmer 38 Acres Employ 1 Boy | 1 |
| Farmer 38 Acres Employ 1 Boy Wife | 1 |
| Farmer Of 168 Acres 1 Labourer | 1 |
| Fisherman | 1 |
| Fishmonger | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Helps At Home | 1 |
| Herse Or Horse Keeper | 1 |
| Horsekeeper | 1 |
| Kept By Son | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Lamp Maker | 1 |
| Laundress | 1 |
| Master Fisherman | 1 |
| Miner (Undef) | 1 |
| None Annuitant | 1 |
| Nurse (S M S) | 1 |
| Nursemaid | 1 |
| Page (Inn) | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Police Constable | 1 |
| Poulterer | 1 |
| Railway Servant | 1 |
| Seamans Wife | 1 |
| Serv Domestic | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Signalman (Rly) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 129 people were recorded with the Walk surname. That placed it at #17,013 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 74 in 2016. That gives Walk a modern rank of #33,441.
An occupational surname referring to a fuller, an individual who cleaned and thickened raw cloth during processing.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Walk 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.