NameCensus.

UK surname

Walls

An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a wall or rampart.

In the 1881 census there were 3,614 people recorded with the Walls surname, ranking it #1,250 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 4,197, ranked #1,615, down from #1,250 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Govan Combination, Gateshead and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wigan, Lochside and Lincluden and West Kirkwall.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walls is 4,316 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 16.1%.

1881 census count

3,614

Ranked #1,250

Modern count

4,197

2016, ranked #1,615

Peak year

1891

4,316 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Walls had 3,614 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,250 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 4,197 in 2016, ranked #1,615.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 4,316 in 1891.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Walls surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walls surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walls 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 2,421 #1,230
1861 historical 3,928 #715
1881 historical 3,614 #1,250
1891 historical 4,316 #1,101
1901 historical 3,974 #1,416
1911 historical 3,232 #1,611
1997 modern 4,186 #1,548
1998 modern 4,272 #1,570
1999 modern 4,292 #1,578
2000 modern 4,264 #1,574
2001 modern 4,097 #1,608
2002 modern 4,137 #1,636
2003 modern 4,000 #1,654
2004 modern 3,989 #1,657
2005 modern 3,981 #1,633
2006 modern 3,996 #1,624
2007 modern 4,033 #1,624
2008 modern 4,060 #1,629
2009 modern 4,172 #1,621
2010 modern 4,276 #1,618
2011 modern 4,221 #1,617
2012 modern 4,121 #1,628
2013 modern 4,196 #1,628
2014 modern 4,233 #1,625
2015 modern 4,185 #1,629
2016 modern 4,197 #1,615

Geography

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Where Walls' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Govan Combination, Gateshead, London parishes, Edinburgh and Wigan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wigan, Lochside and Lincluden, West Kirkwall, Isles and Sunderland. 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 Govan Combination Lanark
2 Gateshead Durham
3 London parishes London 3
4 Edinburgh Edinburgh
5 Wigan Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wigan 026 Wigan
2 Lochside and Lincluden Dumfries and Galloway
3 West Kirkwall Orkney Islands
4 Isles Orkney Islands
5 Sunderland 032 Sunderland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walls

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Walls

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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Walls surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Walls household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Walls 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

Walls is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy 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.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Walls falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Walls 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 Walls, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Walls

The surname Walls is of Anglo-Saxon origin and dates back to the medieval period in England. It is derived from the Old English word "weall," meaning a wall or rampart, and refers to someone who lived near a wall or worked as a builder of walls or fortifications.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "de Walles." This suggests that the name was already well-established in England by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066.

In the 12th century, the name appears in various forms, such as "atte Walle," "de la Walle," and "del Wall," indicating its association with specific locations or buildings with walls. These early spellings also reflect the influence of Norman French on the English language at the time.

The Walls surname is closely associated with certain places in England, such as Wall in Staffordshire and Wallington in Hertfordshire, both of which derive their names from the Old English word "weall." This suggests that the surname may have originated in these areas, where families lived near or worked on the construction of local walls or fortifications.

One notable individual with the surname Walls was William Walls (c. 1590-1670), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works, including "The Orthodox Faith and Way to the Church" in 1659.

Another prominent figure was John Walls (1670-1737), an English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the study of comets and published several works on celestial mechanics.

In the literary world, Elizabeth Walls (1689-1762) was an English poet and playwright, known for her tragedy "The Memorable Masque" and her collection of poems titled "Lyrical Miscellanies."

During the American Revolution, Ebenezer Walls (1745-1826) was a soldier in the Continental Army and fought in several battles, including the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

More recently, Michael Walls (1939-2011) was an English actor and screenwriter, best known for his work on the television series "Porridge" and "The Likely Lads."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Walls, highlighting its long-standing presence and diverse origins across various fields and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Walls families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walls 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. Lancashire leads with 539 Walls' recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.29x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 539 1.29x
Yorkshire 513 1.47x
Middlesex 233 0.66x
Durham 222 2.12x
Lanarkshire 191 1.68x
Sussex 180 3.04x
Surrey 174 1.02x
Fife 157 7.55x
Orkney 118 30.52x
Essex 107 1.54x
Midlothian 97 2.06x
Stirlingshire 79 6.10x
Warwickshire 69 0.78x
Angus 67 2.06x
Kent 64 0.53x
Lincolnshire 62 1.10x
Northumberland 55 1.05x
Cornwall 43 1.08x
Ayrshire 39 1.48x
Renfrewshire 39 1.43x
Staffordshire 37 0.31x
Cheshire 36 0.46x
Hampshire 32 0.44x
Devon 30 0.41x
Hertfordshire 30 1.24x
Dunbartonshire 29 3.07x
Cumberland 28 0.93x
Gloucestershire 24 0.35x
Clackmannanshire 23 7.93x
Worcestershire 20 0.44x
Aberdeenshire 19 0.58x
Derbyshire 19 0.35x
Glamorgan 18 0.29x
Northamptonshire 18 0.54x
Nottinghamshire 18 0.38x
Dumfriesshire 17 2.19x
Kirkcudbrightshire 16 3.15x
Norfolk 15 0.28x
Somerset 15 0.27x
Wigtownshire 14 3.00x
Monmouthshire 12 0.47x
Leicestershire 8 0.21x
Buckinghamshire 7 0.33x
Kinross-shire 7 7.88x
Berkshire 6 0.23x
Berwickshire 6 1.41x
Dorset 6 0.26x
Herefordshire 5 0.35x
Perthshire 5 0.32x
West Lothian 5 0.94x
Bedfordshire 4 0.22x
Suffolk 4 0.09x
Westmorland 4 0.52x
Banffshire 3 0.41x
Merionethshire 3 0.47x
Wiltshire 3 0.10x
Cambridgeshire 2 0.09x
Royal Navy 2 0.48x
Buteshire 1 0.47x
Caithness 1 0.21x
East Lothian 1 0.21x
Isle of Man 1 0.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dunfermline in Fife leads with 104 Walls' recorded in 1881 and an index of 32.52x.

Place Total Index
Dunfermline 104 32.52x
Leeds 88 4.48x
Hindley 83 46.69x
Govan 74 2.63x
Barony 59 2.05x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 49 2.59x
Brighton 48 4.02x
Wigan 47 8.07x
Islington London 39 1.15x
St Ninians 38 29.58x
Kirkwall St Ola 37 63.90x
Ripon 35 43.33x
Dundee 34 2.80x
West Derby 34 2.79x
Aspull 32 32.63x
Birmingham 31 1.05x
South Ronaldshay 31 77.50x
Glasgow 27 1.34x
St Marylebone London 25 1.33x
Aston 24 0.98x
Camberwell 24 1.07x
Falmer 24 345.82x
Haswell 24 32.03x
Ince In Makerfield 24 12.37x
Toxteth Park 24 1.70x
Hetton Le Hole 23 17.36x
Lambeth 23 0.75x
Hedworth Monkton Jarrow 22 4.86x
Liverpool 22 0.87x
St Pancras London 22 0.78x
Saffron Walden 21 28.66x
Stirling 21 12.85x
Blackrod 20 38.60x
Bradford 20 2.37x
Newcastle On Tyne All Sts 20 6.41x
Liff Benvie 19 3.85x
Norton 19 49.44x
Old Monkland 19 4.21x
St Just In Penwith 18 23.32x
Bilton Cum Harrogate 17 14.27x
Wortley In Bramley 17 6.16x
Halliwell 16 10.54x
Kirkdale 16 2.28x
Manchester 16 0.85x
Bermondsey 15 1.43x
Dumfries 15 19.59x
Wavertree 15 11.24x
Westleigh 15 15.84x
Abbey 14 3.37x
Clackmannan 14 25.52x
Hackney London 14 0.71x
Kings Norton 14 3.40x
Bethnal Green London 13 0.85x
Caistor 13 58.14x
Sculcoates 13 2.35x
Belton 12 52.59x
Cross Burness N 12 59.46x
Gainsborough 12 9.06x
Limehouse London 12 3.11x
Longbenton 12 5.42x
Rotherhithe 12 2.76x
Tanfield 12 9.65x
Westgate 12 3.71x
Batley 11 3.32x
Cleator 11 8.74x
Croydon 11 1.16x
Dartmouth St Petrox 11 104.27x
Leominster 11 57.62x
North Leith 11 5.05x
Ratcliffe London 11 5.67x
Southwark St George Martyr 11 1.56x
Wheldrake 11 152.99x
Ashdon 10 99.01x
Egglescliffe 10 126.90x
Great Lever 10 22.60x
Hertford St John 10 27.71x
Inverkeithing 10 31.91x
Netherwent St Bride 10 561.80x
Newchurch 10 2.93x
Yarm 10 55.96x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 211
Elizabeth 118
Sarah 84
Jane 62
Ann 56
Margaret 47
Alice 44
Ellen 42
Hannah 40
Emma 39
Eliza 37
Emily 36
Annie 29
Catherine 24
Maria 23
Martha 23
Charlotte 19
Ada 16
Anne 16
Fanny 16
Caroline 15
Isabella 14
Louisa 14
Edith 13
Frances 12
Harriet 12
Kate 12
Florence 11
Rose 10
Lydia 9
Amelia 8
Clara 8
Sophia 8
Susannah 8
Agnes 7
Jessie 7
Esther 6
Laura 6
Lucy 6
Minnie 6
Susan 6
Anna 5
Eva 5
Matilda 5
Rachel 5
Rebecca 5
Amy 4
Beatrice 4
Bertha 4
Gertrude 4

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 171
John 161
Thomas 101
George 91
James 82
Charles 59
Joseph 56
Henry 46
Robert 44
Alfred 33
Edward 24
Arthur 20
Walter 20
Richard 19
Albert 17
Frederick 17
Samuel 16
Frank 11
Benjamin 10
David 10
Harry 10
Patrick 10
Christopher 9
Francis 9
Wm. 9
Geo. 8
Herbert 8
Isaac 8
Michael 7
Thos. 7
Daniel 5
Fred 5
Matthew 5
Andrew 4
Edwin 4
Jno. 4
Mark 4
Martin 4
Valentine 4
Anthony 3
Chas. 3
Elijah 3
Lambert 3
Leonard 3
Mathew 3
Stephen 3
Timothy 3
Tom 3
Percy 2
Rbt. 2

FAQ

Walls surname: questions and answers

How common was the Walls surname in 1881?

In 1881, 3,614 people were recorded with the Walls surname. That placed it at #1,250 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Walls surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 4,197 in 2016. That gives Walls a modern rank of #1,615.

What does the Walls surname mean?

An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a wall or rampart.

What does the Walls map show?

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