NameCensus.

UK surname

Wallen

Derived from a place name meaning "dweller by a stone bank or spring" in Old English.

In the 1881 census there were 351 people recorded with the Wallen surname, ranking it #8,742 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 495, ranked #10,052, down from #8,742 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Greenwich, Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Caerphilly, Newport and Wycombe.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wallen is 742 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 41.0%.

1881 census count

351

Ranked #8,742

Modern count

495

2016, ranked #10,052

Peak year

1861

742 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wallen had 351 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #8,742 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016, ranked #10,052.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 742 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Wallen surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wallen surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wallen 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 385 #6,225
1861 historical 742 #3,675
1881 historical 351 #8,742
1891 historical 578 #6,594
1901 historical 439 #8,863
1911 historical 468 #8,247
1997 modern 470 #9,747
1998 modern 499 #9,600
1999 modern 504 #9,606
2000 modern 490 #9,772
2001 modern 467 #9,965
2002 modern 485 #9,846
2003 modern 476 #9,830
2004 modern 476 #9,861
2005 modern 482 #9,685
2006 modern 479 #9,788
2007 modern 461 #10,153
2008 modern 479 #9,964
2009 modern 514 #9,643
2010 modern 510 #9,899
2011 modern 483 #10,215
2012 modern 481 #10,145
2013 modern 511 #9,862
2014 modern 521 #9,788
2015 modern 512 #9,853
2016 modern 495 #10,052

Geography

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Where Wallens are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Greenwich, Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe, London parishes, St Pancras and Salisbury St Edmund. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Caerphilly, Newport, Wycombe and Coventry. 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 Greenwich London (South Districts)
2 Pilton, North Wootton, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe Somerset
3 London parishes London 3
4 St Pancras London (North Districts)
5 Salisbury St Edmund Wiltshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Caerphilly 024 Caerphilly
2 Newport 001 Newport
3 Wycombe 003 Wycombe
4 Caerphilly 018 Caerphilly
5 Coventry 035 Coventry

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wallen

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wallen

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

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Wallen surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Wallen 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

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

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Wallen is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. 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

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wallen 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

Wallen falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wallen is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Wallen

The surname Wallen originated in England during the medieval period, derived from the Old English words "walh" or "wallae," meaning "foreigner" or "stranger." It was likely used as a descriptive name for someone who had come from another region or country.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Wallen can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Walensis," referring to people of Welsh descent living in England. This suggests that the name may have initially been used to identify individuals of Welsh origin.

During the 13th century, the name Wallen began to appear in various forms, such as "Waleys," "Wallensis," and "Wallon," in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire. These variations likely resulted from regional dialects and spelling variations.

In the 14th century, the name Wallen was associated with several notable individuals, including John Wallen (c. 1320-1389), a prominent merchant and alderman in the city of London. Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Wallen (c. 1350-1420), a knight and landowner from Worcestershire.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the name Wallen continued to be found in various parts of England, with some variations in spelling, such as "Wallin" and "Wallens." One notable bearer of the name from this period was William Wallen (c. 1570-1640), a Puritan minister and author from Gloucestershire.

As the centuries progressed, the name Wallen spread across England and beyond, with bearers of the name found in various professions and walks of life. Some notable individuals with the surname Wallen include John Wallen (1771-1854), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars, and Henry Wallen (1819-1893), an English architect and surveyor known for his work on several churches and public buildings.

Other notable figures with the surname Wallen include Arthur Wallen (1865-1948), a British civil engineer and inventor of the Wallen process for purifying sewage, and Sir Henry Wallen (1887-1965), a British diplomat and author who served as Ambassador to Turkey and Spain.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wallen families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wallen 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 65 Wallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.89x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 65 1.89x
Devon 38 5.30x
Somerset 38 6.86x
Warwickshire 24 2.76x
Surrey 19 1.13x
Kent 17 1.45x
Lancashire 16 0.39x
Monmouthshire 15 6.03x
Wiltshire 15 4.93x
Berkshire 13 5.03x
Hertfordshire 13 5.48x
Essex 12 1.77x
Oxfordshire 12 5.64x
Buckinghamshire 10 4.80x
Glamorgan 8 1.33x
Leicestershire 7 1.83x
Staffordshire 7 0.60x
Worcestershire 6 1.33x
Yorkshire 4 0.12x
Hampshire 3 0.43x
Cheshire 2 0.26x
Gloucestershire 2 0.30x
Lincolnshire 2 0.36x
Cornwall 1 0.26x
Derbyshire 1 0.19x
Isle of Man 1 1.56x
Royal Navy 1 2.44x
Sussex 1 0.17x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Coventry Holy Trinity in Warwickshire leads with 16 Wallens recorded in 1881 and an index of 61.70x.

Place Total Index
Coventry Holy Trinity 16 61.70x
St Pancras London 13 4.69x
Stoke Lane 9 1139.24x
Aberystruth 8 36.46x
Amesbury 8 601.50x
Bovey Tracey 8 318.73x
Plymouth St Andrew 8 14.49x
Shepton Mallet 8 128.62x
Lambeth 7 2.33x
Boxley 6 333.33x
Burnley 6 17.44x
Exeter St Mary Steps 6 370.37x
Hendon 6 48.43x
Islington London 6 1.80x
Oxford St Thomas 6 60.48x
Stantonbury 6 15000.00x
Trevethin 6 25.52x
Wednesfield 6 35.07x
Yeovil 6 53.29x
Acton 5 24.76x
Bethnal Green London 5 3.34x
Broughton In Salford 5 13.38x
Camberwell 5 2.27x
Coventry St Michael 5 17.92x
Greenwich 5 9.12x
Hackney London 5 2.59x
Hunsdon 5 806.45x
Oldbury 5 22.60x
Pilton 5 378.79x
Reading St Giles 5 19.72x
Stokeinteignhead 5 649.35x
Walthamstow 5 20.43x
Britford 4 199.01x
Castleton 4 9.80x
Great Hallingbury 4 540.54x
Great Linford 4 769.23x
Llandyfodwg 4 117.65x
St George In East 4 17.08x
Tilehurst 4 76.63x
Ashwick 3 333.33x
Dawlish 3 56.07x
Deptford St Paul 3 3.31x
Frome 3 22.62x
Hammersmith London 3 3.54x
Leicester St Nicholas 3 138.89x
Portsea 3 2.17x
W Shutford 3 810.81x
Whitechapel London 3 8.84x
Coyty Lower 2 51.41x
Great Hadham 2 130.72x
Hornsey 2 4.59x
Langtoft 2 289.86x
Leckhampstead 2 540.54x
Leicester St Margaret 2 2.15x
Mile End Old Town 2 3.68x
Mortlake 2 26.74x
Newton Abbot St Nicholas 2 136.05x
Rotherham 2 10.40x
Rotherhithe 2 4.70x
Runcorn 2 11.42x
St Albans St Michael 2 75.47x
St Luke London 2 3.62x
Walthanstow 2 176.99x
Wolborough 2 22.08x
Aston 1 0.42x
Bedminster 1 1.92x
Bristol St George 1 3.20x
Chippenham 1 15.65x
Clapham 1 2.32x
Devonport 1 12.14x
Kensington London 1 0.52x
Leicester All Sts 1 13.33x
Leicester Frith 1 2500.00x
Madron Penzance 1 7.05x
Plympton St Mary 1 24.15x
Poplar London 1 1.54x
Royal Navy 1 2.85x
St George Hanover 1 2.22x
Swansea Town 1 2.03x
Walcot 1 3.39x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Wallen surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wallen surname in 1881?

In 1881, 351 people were recorded with the Wallen surname. That placed it at #8,742 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wallen surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 495 in 2016. That gives Wallen a modern rank of #10,052.

What does the Wallen surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "dweller by a stone bank or spring" in Old English.

What does the Wallen map show?

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