UK surname
A surname indicating an ancestor who walked slowly or habitually.
In the 1881 census there were 11 people recorded with the Walks surname, ranking it #32,081 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 8, ranked #37,829, down from #32,081 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Bedminster and St Alkmund. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walks is 276 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 27.3%.
1881 census count
11
Ranked #32,081
Modern count
8
2016, ranked #37,829
Peak year
1861
276 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Walks surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Walks 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 | 30 | #27,891 |
| 1861 | historical | 276 | #9,052 |
| 1881 | historical | 11 | #32,081 |
| 1891 | historical | 107 | #22,967 |
| 1901 | historical | 20 | #31,803 |
| 1911 | historical | 19 | #31,416 |
| 1997 | modern | 4 | #38,094 |
| 1998 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 1999 | modern | 1 | #38,820 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 1 | #38,647 |
| 2002 | modern | 1 | #38,709 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2006 | modern | 1 | #38,879 |
| 2007 | modern | 1 | #38,907 |
| 2010 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2011 | modern | 1 | #39,015 |
| 2012 | modern | 7 | #37,854 |
| 2013 | modern | 7 | #37,909 |
| 2014 | modern | 7 | #37,929 |
| 2015 | modern | 8 | #37,797 |
| 2016 | modern | 8 | #37,829 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Bedminster, St Alkmund, Bromley Regis and Manchester. 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 | Wolverhampton | Staffordshire |
| 2 | Bedminster | Somerset |
| 3 | St Alkmund | Derbyshire |
| 4 | Bromley Regis | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Walks 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 Walks, 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 Walks surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Walks 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, Walks 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 Walks is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Walks, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "Walks" originates from England, dating back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "wealc," meaning "one who walks" or "a walker." This occupational surname was likely given to individuals whose profession involved walking or delivering goods on foot.
In the Domesday Book, a historical record compiled in 1086 for William the Conqueror, there are references to individuals with the name "le Walkers" and "le Walkere," which are early variations of the surname. These entries suggest that the name was already in use during the Norman conquest of England.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname "Walks" can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from the year 1195, where a person named Robert Walks is mentioned. The surname also appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a John Walks is listed.
The surname "Walks" has been associated with various places in England, such as Walkden in Lancashire, which was formerly known as "Walkedene" in the 13th century. This place name likely influenced the spelling and pronunciation of the surname in that region.
Notable individuals with the surname "Walks" throughout history include:
1. Thomas Walks (c. 1550-1620), an English clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Slaugham in Sussex. 2. John Walks (1676-1748), a British architect and surveyor who worked on several prominent buildings in London, including the Banqueting House in Whitehall. 3. Elizabeth Walks (1785-1856), an English author and poet who published several works, including "Poems on Various Subjects" in 1810. 4. William Walks (1808-1892), a British engineer and inventor who patented several innovations in steam engine technology. 5. Charles Walks (1865-1941), an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in the late 19th century.
The surname "Walks" has undergone various spelling variations throughout history, such as Walkes, Walke, and Walkys, reflecting regional dialects and scribal interpretations. However, the underlying meaning and origin of the name remain rooted in the concept of "one who walks" or an occupation related to walking or delivering goods on foot.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walks 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. Essex leads with 3 Walks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 14.18x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barking in Essex leads with 3 Walks' recorded in 1881 and an index of 483.87x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barking | 3 | 483.87x |
| Greenwich | 2 | 116.96x |
| Bethnal Green London | 1 | 21.46x |
| Bradford | 1 | 38.91x |
| Bridgewater | 1 | 212.77x |
| Bristol St Augustine | 1 | 294.12x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 25.38x |
| Southampton St Mary | 1 | 72.46x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Walks 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 Walks 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 Walks households.
FAQ
In 1881, 11 people were recorded with the Walks surname. That placed it at #32,081 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 8 in 2016. That gives Walks a modern rank of #37,829.
A surname indicating an ancestor who walked slowly or habitually.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Walks 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.