UK surname
A surname referring to a person originating from Wallonia or the French-speaking part of Belgium.
In the 1881 census there were 48 people recorded with the Wallon surname, ranking it #26,869 among surnames in the records. By 2013, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,761, down from #26,869 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St Margaret Westminster, Lambley (incl. Ash Holm) and St Pancras. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Wallon is 335 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 95.8%.
1881 census count
48
Ranked #26,869
Modern count
2
2013, ranked #38,761
Peak year
1861
335 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Wallon surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Wallon 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 | 110 | #16,093 |
| 1861 | historical | 335 | #7,610 |
| 1881 | historical | 48 | #26,869 |
| 1891 | historical | 249 | #12,813 |
| 1901 | historical | 41 | #29,602 |
| 1911 | historical | 33 | #29,703 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2003 | modern | 2 | #38,424 |
| 2004 | modern | 1 | #38,771 |
| 2005 | modern | 1 | #38,814 |
| 2013 | modern | 2 | #38,761 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St Margaret Westminster, Lambley (incl. Ash Holm), St Pancras, Manchester and Tettenhall. 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 | St Margaret Westminster | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | Lambley (incl. Ash Holm) | Northumberland |
| 3 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 4 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 5 | Tettenhall | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Wallon 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 Wallon, 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 Wallon surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Wallon 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, Wallon 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 Wallon is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Wallon, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname WALLON has its origins in the French-speaking region of Wallonia, located in present-day Belgium. It emerged in the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old French word "walon," which referred to the people and language of this area.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in medieval charters and documents from the County of Hainaut and the Duchy of Brabant. One notable example is Huon Wallon, a knight mentioned in a 1185 charter from the town of Mons.
As a toponymic surname, WALLON likely originated from individuals who hailed from specific towns or villages within Wallonia. For instance, the village of Wallon-Cappel in the Nord department of France may have contributed to the surname's development.
In the 13th century, the name gained prominence with the birth of Jean de Wallon (1235-1314), a distinguished cleric and statesman who served as the Chancellor of France under King Philip IV. He played a crucial role in resolving conflicts between the French monarchy and the papacy.
Another prominent figure bearing the WALLON surname was Henri Wallon (1812-1904), a French historian, statesman, and philosopher. He served as the Minister of Public Instruction and authored several influential works on the French Revolution and the history of slavery.
During the Renaissance period, the WALLON name was associated with the arts. Valentin Wallon (1575-1635) was a renowned Flemish painter known for his religious and mythological works, many of which can be found in churches and museums across Europe.
In the 19th century, Henri-Alexandre Wallon (1812-1904) made significant contributions to the field of education and child psychology. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of developmental psychology and served as the Minister of Public Instruction in France.
Another notable figure was Georges Wallon (1875-1963), a French politician and writer who actively participated in the Resistance movement during World War II. He served as the President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic in 1944-1946.
Throughout its history, the WALLON surname has been associated with various professions, including clergy, statesmen, artists, educators, and political figures, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and achievements of those who bore this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Wallon 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. Middlesex leads with 14 Wallons recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.99x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14 | 2.99x |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 4.43x |
| Derbyshire | 5 | 6.82x |
| Lancashire | 5 | 0.90x |
| Surrey | 4 | 1.75x |
| Yorkshire | 4 | 0.86x |
| Gloucestershire | 2 | 2.18x |
| Devon | 1 | 1.03x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.04x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 1.93x |
| Northamptonshire | 1 | 2.27x |
| Suffolk | 1 | 1.75x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 1.64x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Westminster St in Middlesex leads with 9 Wallons recorded in 1881 and an index of 520.23x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster St | 9 | 520.23x |
| Walsall Foreign | 6 | 73.53x |
| Blackburn | 5 | 33.83x |
| Duffield | 5 | 862.07x |
| Battersea | 3 | 17.42x |
| Wakefield | 3 | 84.27x |
| Spitalfields London | 2 | 56.82x |
| Bridewell Precinct | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Cheltenham | 1 | 14.12x |
| Chivelstone | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Dudley | 1 | 13.46x |
| Fawsley | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Gorleston | 1 | 68.97x |
| Hamilton | 1 | 23.70x |
| Holdenhurst | 1 | 39.68x |
| Islington London | 1 | 2.20x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 3.84x |
| Leeds | 1 | 3.82x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 1 | 7.91x |
| Richmond | 1 | 31.25x |
| Winchcomb | 1 | 217.39x |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | 8.23x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Wallon 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 Wallon 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 Wallon households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 7 |
| Daur | 3 |
| General Servant | 2 |
| (Hawker) | 1 |
| A B Seaman | 1 |
| Card Room Doffer | 1 |
| Coffee Tavern Manager | 1 |
| Creeler | 1 |
| Dairy Maid | 1 |
| Dairyman | 1 |
| Domestic | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| General Servant Domestic | 1 |
| Horness Leather Dresser (Tanner) | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Housework | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Ladys Maid | 1 |
| Office Boy | 1 |
| Retired Manufacturer | 1 |
| Serv Dom | 1 |
| Waitress (Inn) | 1 |
| Washerwoman | 1 |
| Wife | 1 |
| Wife Of Commander Mercantile Marine | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 48 people were recorded with the Wallon surname. That placed it at #26,869 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2013. That gives Wallon a modern rank of #38,761.
A surname referring to a person originating from Wallonia or the French-speaking part of Belgium.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Wallon 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.