NameCensus.

UK surname

Walters

An occupational surname referring to the ruler or owner of a village or a steward of a household.

In the 1881 census there were 14,268 people recorded with the Walters surname, ranking it #284 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 22,964, ranked #255, up from #284 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Sedgley and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rhondda Cynon Taf, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Walters is 23,618 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.9%.

1881 census count

14,268

Ranked #284

Modern count

22,964

2016, ranked #255

Peak year

1999

23,618 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Walters had 14,268 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #284 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 22,964 in 2016, ranked #255.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 19,598 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Walters surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Walters surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Walters 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 7,809 #359
1861 historical 6,730 #414
1881 historical 14,268 #284
1891 historical 14,246 #297
1901 historical 18,447 #272
1911 historical 19,598 #231
1997 modern 22,372 #252
1998 modern 23,516 #250
1999 modern 23,618 #251
2000 modern 23,423 #252
2001 modern 22,875 #252
2002 modern 23,244 #254
2003 modern 22,699 #254
2004 modern 22,609 #255
2005 modern 22,275 #254
2006 modern 22,291 #254
2007 modern 22,407 #256
2008 modern 22,512 #256
2009 modern 23,104 #255
2010 modern 23,540 #255
2011 modern 23,108 #255
2012 modern 22,727 #256
2013 modern 23,240 #255
2014 modern 23,430 #255
2015 modern 23,227 #254
2016 modern 22,964 #255

Geography

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Where Walters' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Sedgley, London parishes and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. 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 Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) Glamorganshire
2 Sedgley Staffordshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rhondda Cynon Taf 001 Rhondda Cynon Taf
2 Carmarthenshire 016 Carmarthenshire
3 Carmarthenshire 017 Carmarthenshire
4 Pembrokeshire 002 Pembrokeshire
5 Carmarthenshire 012 Carmarthenshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Walters

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Walters

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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Walters surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Walters 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 comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Walters 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

Walters 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

Walters falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Walters

The surname Walters originated in England and can be traced back to the late 12th century. It derives from the ancient Germanic personal name Walter, which is composed of the elements "wald" meaning "rule" and "heri" meaning "army." The name Walter essentially translates to "commander of the army."

Early records show the name appearing as Waltur in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. During the Middle Ages, the name evolved into various spellings such as Walthers, Walteres, and Walterus before eventually settling into the modern form of Walters.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Walters was Richard Walters, a merchant and landowner in London who was born around 1250. Another notable early bearer was John Walters, a member of the English Parliament who represented Worcestershire in 1376.

The Walters name has been associated with several prominent figures throughout history. Sir William Walters (1542-1632) was an English explorer and privateer who accompanied Sir Francis Drake on his famous circumnavigation voyage. Nathaniel Walters (1670-1730) was a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies.

In the literary realm, John Walters (1784-1857) was a renowned English poet and clergyman, while Henry Walters (1848-1931) was an American art collector and philanthropist who founded the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

Another significant figure was William Walters (1892-1973), a British Labour Party politician who served as the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1950 to 1951 under Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

While the Walters surname originated in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, particularly through British emigration and colonization. The name has been well-established in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Walters families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Walters 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. Glamorgan leads with 1,684 Walters' recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.94x.

County Total Index
Glamorgan 1,684 6.94x
Staffordshire 1,385 2.95x
Middlesex 1,057 0.76x
Carmarthenshire 893 15.21x
Derbyshire 723 3.32x
Surrey 627 0.92x
Monmouthshire 606 6.02x
Devon 581 2.00x
Lancashire 580 0.35x
Worcestershire 531 2.92x
Yorkshire 406 0.29x
Warwickshire 396 1.13x
Nottinghamshire 358 1.91x
Kent 330 0.69x
Cornwall 313 1.98x
Gloucestershire 298 1.09x
Somerset 261 1.16x
Hampshire 238 0.83x
Pembrokeshire 233 5.26x
Brecknockshire 228 8.19x
Berkshire 227 2.17x
Herefordshire 212 3.71x
Durham 198 0.48x
Wiltshire 196 1.59x
Buckinghamshire 173 2.05x
Sussex 172 0.73x
Cheshire 171 0.56x
Essex 138 0.50x
Shropshire 120 1.00x
Oxfordshire 97 1.13x
Lanarkshire 74 0.16x
Northamptonshire 68 0.52x
Cardiganshire 67 1.97x
Cumberland 66 0.55x
Lincolnshire 54 0.24x
Leicestershire 53 0.34x
Hertfordshire 50 0.52x
Northumberland 43 0.21x
Bedfordshire 41 0.57x
Dorset 38 0.42x
Midlothian 33 0.18x
Norfolk 31 0.14x
Cambridgeshire 29 0.33x
Caernarfonshire 24 0.43x
Renfrewshire 18 0.17x
Royal Navy 16 0.96x
Denbighshire 15 0.29x
Dunbartonshire 13 0.35x
Fife 13 0.16x
Montgomeryshire 13 0.41x
Ayrshire 10 0.10x
Suffolk 10 0.06x
Channel Islands 9 0.22x
Flintshire 8 0.21x
Merionethshire 8 0.31x
Clackmannanshire 6 0.52x
East Lothian 6 0.33x
Perthshire 5 0.08x
Radnorshire 5 0.44x
Westmorland 5 0.16x
Aberdeenshire 3 0.02x
Inverness-shire 3 0.07x
Stirlingshire 3 0.06x
Rutland 2 0.20x
Anglesey 1 0.04x
Dumfriesshire 1 0.03x
Morayshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedwellty in Monmouthshire leads with 212 Walters' recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.92x.

Place Total Index
Bedwellty 212 11.92x
Sedgley 187 10.71x
Merthyr Tydfil 182 7.81x
Birmingham 165 1.41x
Ystradyfodwg 165 7.76x
Llanelly 159 12.02x
Aberdare 143 8.59x
Lambeth 142 1.17x
Aston 136 1.41x
Wolverhampton 133 3.68x
Walsall Foreign 131 5.39x
St Pancras London 127 1.13x
Swansea Town 126 6.34x
Islington London 123 0.91x
Clase 111 12.31x
Stoke Upon Trent 97 1.95x
Caverswall 84 34.37x
Bradwell 73 61.59x
Tipton 73 5.07x
Pentrich 71 57.85x
Kidwelly 70 58.40x
St Marylebone London 69 0.93x
Llanguick 68 15.65x
Bilston 67 7.35x
Llangendeirne 67 61.55x
Margam 66 24.40x
West Bromwich 64 2.38x
Nottingham St Mary 63 1.30x
Basford 62 7.16x
Mynyddyslwyn 62 15.61x
Alfreton 61 9.21x
Camberwell 61 0.69x
Croydon 60 1.59x
Gelligaer 59 10.65x
Kidderminster Borough 58 5.45x
Bromsgrove 57 9.31x
Llandilo Fawr 54 20.63x
Plymouth St Andrew 54 2.42x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 53 2.06x
Cannock 53 6.46x
Portsea 52 0.93x
Ripley 52 19.29x
Southwark St George Martyr 51 1.82x
Hackney London 49 0.63x
Kensington London 48 0.62x
Kingswinford 48 2.81x
Llanwonno 48 5.51x
Darlaston 45 6.93x
Dudley 45 2.04x
Llanelly 45 13.50x
Claylane 44 14.51x
Toxteth Park 44 0.79x
Willenhall 44 5.00x
Newington 43 0.84x
Paddington London 43 0.84x
Shoreditch London 43 0.71x
Stoke Damerel 43 2.12x
Tavistock 43 13.02x
Liverpool 42 0.42x
Everton 41 0.78x
Stockton On Tees 40 2.00x
Stourbridge 40 8.55x
Tottenham 40 1.80x
Trevethin 40 4.21x
Rowley Regis 39 2.98x
Westbury 39 13.56x
St George Hanover 38 2.09x
Swansea Higher 38 15.04x
Mile End Old Town 37 1.68x
Chesterfield 36 4.40x
Llansamlet Lower 36 16.40x
Manchester 36 0.48x
Rhyndwyclydach 36 21.40x
Roath 36 3.27x
Upperswinford 36 23.39x
Wednesfield 36 5.20x
Clifton 35 2.53x
Llangyfelach 35 38.53x
Llansamlet Higher 35 19.34x
St John Near Swansea 35 11.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 1,046
Elizabeth 640
Sarah 486
Ann 331
Jane 253
Eliza 238
Margaret 211
Annie 195
Emma 185
Hannah 172
Ellen 167
Alice 166
Emily 135
Martha 116
Anne 96
Catherine 95
Florence 80
Edith 78
Harriet 75
Fanny 74
Louisa 70
Caroline 69
Maria 69
Lucy 68
Charlotte 60
Ada 55
Kate 55
Esther 54
Agnes 52
Clara 48
Rachel 47
Harriett 45
Rose 43
Susannah 37
Amelia 34
Susan 32
Selina 31
Frances 30
Matilda 29
Rebecca 28
Eleanor 26
Gertrude 26
Amy 25
Isabella 24
Ruth 24
Bessie 23
Minnie 23
Sophia 23
Jessie 22
Lizzie 21

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 923
John 884
Thomas 578
James 374
George 341
Henry 300
David 274
Joseph 234
Charles 218
Richard 139
Edward 126
Samuel 123
Alfred 120
Arthur 99
Albert 93
Frederick 93
Walter 93
Robert 89
Harry 65
Benjamin 59
Daniel 59
Herbert 58
Evan 55
Edwin 49
Wm. 47
Frank 44
Ernest 42
Isaac 39
Francis 38
Lewis 35
Morgan 35
Thos. 34
Rees 20
Philip 18
Stephen 18
Fred 17
Fredrick 17
Phillip 17
Tom 17
Abraham 16
Enoch 14
Edmund 13
Griffith 13
Jno. 12
Percy 12
Andrew 11
Chas. 11
Geo. 11
Peter 11
Saml. 11

Top occupations

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 Walters households.

FAQ

Walters surname: questions and answers

How common was the Walters surname in 1881?

In 1881, 14,268 people were recorded with the Walters surname. That placed it at #284 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Walters surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 22,964 in 2016. That gives Walters a modern rank of #255.

What does the Walters surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to the ruler or owner of a village or a steward of a household.

What does the Walters map show?

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