UK surname
A Germanic surname derived from the root "walk", referring to a fuller of cloth or walker.
In the 1881 census there were 28 people recorded with the Walken surname, ranking it #29,646 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #29,646 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Manchester, Monken Hadley and All Saints Poplar. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walken is 394 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 53.6%.
1881 census count
28
Ranked #29,646
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1861
394 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Walken surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Walken surname density by area, 1891 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 | 137 | #13,812 |
| 1861 | historical | 394 | #6,504 |
| 1881 | historical | 28 | #29,646 |
| 1891 | historical | 222 | #13,854 |
| 1901 | historical | 59 | #27,609 |
| 1911 | historical | 64 | #26,435 |
| 1997 | modern | 15 | #36,409 |
| 1998 | modern | 12 | #36,790 |
| 1999 | modern | 19 | #36,041 |
| 2000 | modern | 15 | #36,425 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 7 | #37,397 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 14 | #36,801 |
| 2007 | modern | 14 | #36,886 |
| 2008 | modern | 15 | #36,843 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 16 | #36,955 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Manchester, Monken Hadley, All Saints Poplar, Liverpool and West Derby. 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 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 2 | Monken Hadley | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 3 | All Saints Poplar | London (East Districts) |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Walken 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 Walken, 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 Walken surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Walken 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, Walken 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 Walken is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Walken, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WALKEN has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "walcen," which means "to walk" or "to tread." The name was likely given to someone who walked with a distinct gait or who was known for their walking abilities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WALKEN can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1275, where a person named Roger Walken is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1279, listing a William Walken.
In the 14th century, the WALKEN surname was prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. It is believed that the name may have originated from place names such as Walkington in East Yorkshire or Walton in various locations across England.
The WALKEN surname has a strong connection to the village of Walkington, located near the city of Beverley in East Yorkshire. During the medieval period, this village was known for its flourishing wool trade, and it is possible that the name WALKEN originated from individuals associated with this industry.
One notable bearer of the WALKEN surname was Sir John Walken, a prominent figure in the 15th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1420 and was a respected merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
In the 16th century, the WALKEN surname gained recognition through the work of Thomas Walken (c. 1518-1568), an English Protestant reformer and martyr. Walken was burned at the stake in 1568 for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
Another influential figure with the WALKEN surname was Christopher Walken (1616-1658), an English Puritan minister and writer. He authored several religious works and was known for his fiery sermons advocating for religious reform.
The 17th century saw the rise of Sir John Walken (1633-1718), a prominent English politician and landowner. He served as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire and was instrumental in the development of the East Retford area.
In the 18th century, the WALKEN surname gained literary significance through the works of James Walken (1725-1798), an English poet and playwright. His most notable work, "The Tragedy of Valens," was widely acclaimed in its time.
These historical figures and records exemplify the rich heritage and significance of the WALKEN surname, which has left an indelible mark on various aspects of English history and culture over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walken 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. Yorkshire leads with 9 Walkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.33x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | 9 | 3.33x |
| Nottinghamshire | 8 | 21.75x |
| Lancashire | 4 | 1.24x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 4.98x |
| Middlesex | 3 | 1.10x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.75x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Holy Trinity in Yorkshire leads with 9 Walkens recorded in 1881 and an index of 138.46x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Trinity | 9 | 138.46x |
| Wellow | 8 | 26666.67x |
| Formby | 3 | 810.81x |
| Wincham | 3 | 2727.27x |
| Hampstead London | 1 | 23.53x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.20x |
| Much Woolton | 1 | 227.27x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 9.97x |
| St George Martyr | 1 | 217.39x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Walken 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 Walken 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 Walken households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 10 |
| Agriculteral Labourer | 1 |
| Booking Clerk (Railway) | 1 |
| Char Woman | 1 |
| Cook | 1 |
| Engine Fitter Locomotive Works | 1 |
| Nurse | 1 |
| Road Contractor | 1 |
| Road Contractor Wife | 1 |
| Rock Salt Miner | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 28 people were recorded with the Walken surname. That placed it at #29,646 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Walken a modern rank of #37,278.
A Germanic surname derived from the root "walk", referring to a fuller of cloth or walker.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Walken 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.