NameCensus.

UK surname

Walshe

An Anglo-Norman surname deriving from the Old French word "waleis" meaning Welsh or foreigner.

In the 1881 census there were 120 people recorded with the Walshe surname, ranking it #17,756 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,179, ranked #5,041, up from #17,756 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Fankerton, Stoneywood and Denny Town, Havering and Richmond upon Thames.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walshe is 1,211 in 2013. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 882.5%.

1881 census count

120

Ranked #17,756

Modern count

1,179

2016, ranked #5,041

Peak year

2013

1,211 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Walshe had 120 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,756 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,179 in 2016, ranked #5,041.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 259 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Walshe surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walshe surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walshe 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 36 #26,838
1861 historical 114 #19,011
1881 historical 120 #17,756
1891 historical 168 #16,937
1901 historical 220 #14,245
1911 historical 259 #12,585
1997 modern 1,077 #5,170
1998 modern 1,125 #5,153
1999 modern 1,154 #5,096
2000 modern 1,176 #4,990
2001 modern 1,150 #4,987
2002 modern 1,168 #5,020
2003 modern 1,137 #5,040
2004 modern 1,125 #5,086
2005 modern 1,081 #5,201
2006 modern 1,086 #5,187
2007 modern 1,128 #5,076
2008 modern 1,145 #5,039
2009 modern 1,173 #5,038
2010 modern 1,200 #5,046
2011 modern 1,175 #5,074
2012 modern 1,193 #4,937
2013 modern 1,211 #4,948
2014 modern 1,209 #4,983
2015 modern 1,181 #5,042
2016 modern 1,179 #5,041

Geography

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Where Walshes are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a, Manchester and Lambeth. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Fankerton, Stoneywood and Denny Town, Havering, Richmond upon Thames and Portsmouth. 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 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 Colchester St Botolph, St Mary at the Walls, St Giles, St Mary Magdalen, Holy Trinity, St Runwald, a Essex
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Lambeth London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Fankerton, Stoneywood and Denny Town Falkirk
2 Havering 012 Havering
3 Richmond upon Thames 001 Richmond upon Thames
4 Portsmouth 009 Portsmouth
5 Havering 014 Havering

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walshe

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Walshe

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

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Walshe surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Walshe 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 includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Walshe 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

Walshe 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

Walshe falls in decile 10 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.

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Walshe 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 - Irish

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

Meaning and origin of Walshe

The surname Walshe has its origins in England, dating back to the late 11th century following the Norman conquest. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "walh," which meant "foreigner" or "stranger," referring to someone of Celtic or Briton descent. The name was initially used to distinguish those of Welsh or Briton ancestry from the Norman settlers.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landowners and tenants in England compiled by order of William the Conqueror, there are several entries of individuals bearing the surname Walshe or similar spellings such as Walensis, Waleys, and Walish. These early references suggest that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname was Roger le Waleys, who lived in Gloucestershire in the 13th century. Another notable figure was Sir John Walsh, a Welsh soldier and landowner who lived from 1506 to 1573 and served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The surname Walshe has also been associated with various place names in England, such as Walsh in Shropshire and Walshe in Somerset. These place names likely originated from the Old English word "walh" and may have contributed to the development of the surname.

Throughout history, several prominent individuals have borne the surname Walshe. One such figure was William Walshe (1545-1629), an English Roman Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for his religious beliefs. Another notable bearer was Edward Walshe (1667-1737), an Irish-born Anglican priest who served as Bishop of Ossory from 1705 to 1737.

In the 18th century, Robert Walshe (1703-1783) was an Irish politician and lawyer who served as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. Francis Walshe (1885-1973) was an Irish diplomat and politician who served as the first Irish ambassador to the United States from 1924 to 1935.

The surname Walshe has also been prominent in the field of literature. Joseph Walshe (1836-1908) was an Irish poet and writer, while Maurice Walshe (1911-1998) was a British scholar and translator of Buddhist texts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Walshe families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walshe 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 28 Walshes recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.02x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 28 2.02x
Middlesex 28 2.39x
Durham 8 2.30x
Herefordshire 6 12.50x
Stirlingshire 6 13.90x
Surrey 6 1.05x
Sussex 6 3.04x
Cheshire 5 1.94x
Kent 4 1.00x
Berkshire 3 3.41x
Yorkshire 3 0.26x
Essex 2 0.87x
Glamorgan 2 0.98x
Hampshire 2 0.83x
Hertfordshire 2 2.48x
Lincolnshire 2 1.07x
Northumberland 2 1.15x
Renfrewshire 2 2.21x
Buckinghamshire 1 1.41x
Staffordshire 1 0.25x
Warwickshire 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Marylebone London in Middlesex leads with 11 Walshes recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.61x.

Place Total Index
St Marylebone London 11 17.61x
Liverpool 9 10.67x
Everton 7 15.82x
Salford 6 14.69x
Strathblane 6 1111.11x
Cowpen Bewley 5 1282.05x
Eastbourne 5 55.07x
Manchester 4 6.41x
Old Artillery Ground 4 396.04x
Ross 4 209.42x
Altrincham 3 66.52x
Lambeth 3 2.94x
Southwark Christchurch 3 54.74x
St George Hanover 3 19.63x
Bromley London 2 7.77x
Chelsea London 2 5.67x
Hereford St John 2 363.64x
Llandaff 2 29.50x
Paddington London 2 4.65x
Sonning 2 206.19x
West Greenock 2 12.29x
Westminster St James 2 16.63x
Aldershot 1 12.44x
Baddesley Ensor 1 263.16x
Barnsley 1 8.36x
Barton St Mary 1 106.38x
Boltby 1 833.33x
Castleton 1 7.21x
Cheshunt 1 35.46x
Chester Holy Trinity 1 82.64x
Climping 1 909.09x
Darlaston 1 18.32x
East Ham 1 23.31x
Eltham 1 42.74x
Esh 1 39.53x
Grantham 1 40.98x
Greenwich 1 5.37x
Hendon 1 23.75x
Hoose 1 208.33x
Langley Marish 1 114.94x
Milton In Gravesend 1 16.69x
Newcastle On Tyne St 1 11.07x
North Shields 1 28.82x
Saddleworth 1 11.17x
Southampton St Mary 1 6.63x
Speldhurst 1 49.26x
St Mary Le Strand 1 270.27x
Stockton On Tees 1 5.96x
Sunninghill 1 81.97x
Wanstead 1 24.69x
Watford 1 16.00x
Whitworth 1 39.22x
Withington 1 22.37x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 7
Margaret 4
Anna 2
Annie 2
Elizth. 2
Ellen 2
Esther 2
Lucy 2
Sarah 2
Agnes 1
Anne 1
Bridget 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Edith 1
Edward 1
Eleanor 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Emily 1
Evelyn 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Harriette 1
Kate 1
Letitia 1
Lizzie 1
Lydia 1
May 1
Minnie 1
Wineford 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 10
James 7
Patrick 5
George 4
Edward 3
Francis 3
William 3
Frederick 2
Michael 2
Thomas 2
Albert 1
Arthur 1
Blayney 1
Charles 1
Denis 1
E.C.D. 1
Edmund 1
Fredrick 1
Henery 1
Holwell 1
Joseph 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Oswald 1
Pat 1
Robert 1
Robt. 1
Uwen 1
Victor 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Walshe surname: questions and answers

How common was the Walshe surname in 1881?

In 1881, 120 people were recorded with the Walshe surname. That placed it at #17,756 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Walshe surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,179 in 2016. That gives Walshe a modern rank of #5,041.

What does the Walshe surname mean?

An Anglo-Norman surname deriving from the Old French word "waleis" meaning Welsh or foreigner.

What does the Walshe map show?

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