NameCensus.

UK surname

Wallin

Derived from a place name meaning "bank by a spring" in Old English or "foreigner" in Old German.

In the 1881 census there were 247 people recorded with the Wallin surname, ranking it #11,173 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 323, ranked #13,997, down from #11,173 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Middlesborough and Preston. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Birmingham, Rushcliffe and West Berkshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wallin is 360 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 30.8%.

1881 census count

247

Ranked #11,173

Modern count

323

2016, ranked #13,997

Peak year

1999

360 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Wallin had 247 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #11,173 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016, ranked #13,997.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 349 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Outer Suburbs.

Wallin surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Wallin surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Wallin 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 164 #12,116
1861 historical 237 #10,359
1881 historical 247 #11,173
1891 historical 280 #11,665
1901 historical 306 #11,494
1911 historical 349 #10,282
1997 modern 342 #12,379
1998 modern 354 #12,438
1999 modern 360 #12,371
2000 modern 351 #12,534
2001 modern 342 #12,566
2002 modern 355 #12,471
2003 modern 343 #12,607
2004 modern 340 #12,707
2005 modern 352 #12,315
2006 modern 338 #12,779
2007 modern 335 #13,001
2008 modern 340 #12,989
2009 modern 347 #13,044
2010 modern 334 #13,690
2011 modern 331 #13,641
2012 modern 329 #13,593
2013 modern 329 #13,810
2014 modern 333 #13,770
2015 modern 326 #13,898
2016 modern 323 #13,997

Geography

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Where Wallins are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Middlesborough, Preston and Leamington Priors. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Birmingham, Rushcliffe, West Berkshire and Dudley. 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 London parishes London 3
2 Middlesborough Durham
3 Preston Lancashire
4 Leamington Priors Warwickshire
5 London parishes London 2

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Birmingham 015 Birmingham
2 Birmingham 031 Birmingham
3 Rushcliffe 008 Rushcliffe
4 West Berkshire 021 West Berkshire
5 Dudley 043 Dudley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Wallin

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Wallin

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

Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals

Group

Outer Suburbs

Nationally, the Wallin surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Outer Suburbs, within Ethnically Diverse Suburban Professionals. This does not mean every Wallin household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods are found on the outer edges of many towns and cities. Many residents were born outside the UK. Indian ethnic group representation is high. There are high numbers of families with dependent children aged 5 to 14. Incidences of disability and of provision of unpaid care are low. Neighbourhoods provide a mix of detached housing and flats, and terraced housing is not uncommon. Levels of overcrowding are low and homeownership rates are high. Professional and managerial occupations are prevalent: unemployment is low and education to degree level is the norm.

Wider pattern

Those working within the managerial, professional and administrative occupations typically reflect a wide range of ethnic groups, and reside in detached or semi-detached housing. Their residential locations at the edges of cities and conurbations and car-based lifestyles are more characteristic of Supergroup membership than birthplace or participation in child-rearing. Houses are typically owner-occupied and marriage rates are lower than the national average. This Supergroup is found throughout suburban UK.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Wallin is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Wallin 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

Wallin falls in decile 9 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.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Wallin 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
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Wallin

The surname WALLIN is of English origin and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "walh" or "wealh," which referred to a Briton or a foreigner. This suggests that the name was likely given to someone who was perceived as a stranger or outsider in a particular community.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical documents from the 13th century onwards. For example, the Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a person named Walter le Waleys, which is believed to be an early variant of the surname WALLIN.

One notable historical figure with this surname was John Wallin, an English scholar and clergyman who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born in 1558 and served as the Rector of Polstead in Suffolk from 1596 until his death in 1621.

Another person of note was William Wallin, an English composer and organist who lived in the 17th century. He was born around 1615 and served as the organist at St. Peter Mancroft in Norwich, where he is believed to have died in 1668.

In the 18th century, there was a Swedish clergyman named Jakob Wallin who lived from 1707 to 1790. He was a prominent figure in the Swedish Lutheran Church and served as the Archbishop of Uppsala from 1772 until his death.

The 19th century saw the birth of Gustav Wallin, a Swedish poet and bishop who lived from 1811 to 1894. He is best known for his contributions to Swedish literature, particularly his religious poetry and hymns.

Finally, one of the most notable figures with this surname was Johan Olof Wallin, a Swedish writer and hymnist who lived from 1779 to 1839. He is considered one of the greatest poets in the Swedish language and is known for his contributions to the Swedish hymnal, which included many of his own compositions.

While the surname WALLIN has its roots in England, it has also been prevalent in other parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavia. Over time, it has spread to various regions and countries, reflecting the mobility and migration of people throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Wallin families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wallin 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. Warwickshire leads with 51 Wallins recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.39x.

County Total Index
Warwickshire 51 8.39x
Berkshire 33 18.25x
Leicestershire 31 11.60x
Middlesex 29 1.20x
Yorkshire 20 0.84x
Lancashire 15 0.52x
Surrey 11 0.94x
Essex 10 2.10x
Derbyshire 9 2.39x
Hampshire 9 1.82x
Buckinghamshire 6 4.12x
Somerset 6 1.55x
Kent 3 0.36x
Oxfordshire 3 2.02x
Worcestershire 3 0.95x
Hertfordshire 2 1.20x
Staffordshire 2 0.25x
Devon 1 0.20x
Gloucestershire 1 0.21x
Merionethshire 1 2.27x
Northamptonshire 1 0.44x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Birmingham in Warwickshire leads with 17 Wallins recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.40x.

Place Total Index
Birmingham 17 8.40x
Leicester St Margaret 15 23.03x
Thatcham 15 537.63x
St Pancras London 12 6.19x
Aston 10 5.98x
Preston 10 13.07x
Linthrope 8 1777.78x
Seagrave 7 2333.33x
West Ham 7 6.67x
Bethnal Green London 6 5.73x
Stowe 6 2142.86x
Warwick St Nicholas 6 134.53x
Willey 6 6000.00x
Chieveley 5 520.83x
Derby St Peter 5 41.63x
Frome 5 53.88x
Hackney London 5 3.70x
Leamington Priors 5 33.44x
Southwark St Saviour 5 40.39x
Tilehurst 5 136.99x
Whitsbury 5 3333.33x
Fishwick 4 225.99x
Leek Wootten 4 1212.12x
Linthorpe 4 28.07x
Litchurch 4 26.35x
Aldershot 3 18.14x
Bucklebury 3 319.15x
Hoby 3 1153.85x
Kirby Muxloe 3 937.50x
Lambeth 3 1.43x
Middlesbrough 3 9.65x
Oldbury 3 19.38x
Compton 2 384.62x
Great Hadham 2 186.92x
Hampstead Norris 2 175.44x
Kimberworth 2 15.09x
Neithrop 2 40.00x
Paddington London 2 2.26x
St George Hanover 2 6.36x
Sutton Coldfield 2 31.30x
Avon Dassett 1 454.55x
Basingstoke 1 17.61x
Battersea 1 1.13x
Bradwell 1 476.19x
Bristol 1 227.27x
Burton Extra 1 21.46x
Camberwell 1 0.65x
Chelsea London 1 1.38x
Croydon 1 1.53x
Dalby In The Wolds 1 357.14x
Exminster 1 55.56x
Harlow 1 48.78x
Kensington London 1 0.75x
Llanycil 1 42.19x
Maidstone 1 4.08x
Middleton Cheney 1 101.01x
Prittlewell 1 15.17x
Reading St Giles 1 5.64x
Rotherham 1 7.43x
Sileby 1 59.52x
Soothill 1 11.60x
Southcoates 1 7.55x
Tonbridge 1 3.37x
Toxteth Park 1 1.03x
Waltham Holy Cross 1 22.47x
Wednesbury 1 4.92x
Wellington 1 19.01x
Whetstone 1 102.04x
Woolwich 1 3.29x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 22
John 15
Charles 11
James 11
Thomas 10
George 6
Henry 5
Edward 4
Robert 4
Joseph 3
Alfred 2
Frederick 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Chas. 1
Edmond 1
Ernest 1
Farnham 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Frans 1
Fred 1
Fredric 1
Joshua 1
Nicholas 1
Richard 1
Samuel 1
Stephen 1
W.E.J. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Wallin surname: questions and answers

How common was the Wallin surname in 1881?

In 1881, 247 people were recorded with the Wallin surname. That placed it at #11,173 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Wallin surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 323 in 2016. That gives Wallin a modern rank of #13,997.

What does the Wallin surname mean?

Derived from a place name meaning "bank by a spring" in Old English or "foreigner" in Old German.

What does the Wallin map show?

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