Valentine

Origin and Meaning

Valentine is a surname of English and French origin, derived from the Latin name Valentinus, which comes from the word "valens" meaning strong or worthy. The name was popularized by the early Christian saint, Saint Valentine, who is associated with love and romance.

History

The surname Valentine has ancient roots dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It is believed to have been brought to the British Isles by Norman settlers after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name has various spellings, including Valentin, Valenteen, and Valantine.

Distribution

The surname Valentine is fairly common in the United Kingdom, with concentrations in regions such as London, Kent, and Essex. It can also be found in other English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Canada.

Famous Bearers

Notable individuals with the surname Valentine include:

  • Bille Joe Valentine, an American professional baseball player.
  • Dame Shirley Valentine, a fictional character from the play and film "Shirley Valentine".
  • Ray Valentine, a character in the film "Trading Places" portrayed by actor Dan Aykroyd.

Variants

Variants of the surname Valentine include Valentin, Vallentine, Valentino, and Valentinus.

There are approximately 9,063 people named Valentine in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,041st most common surname in Britain. Around 139 in a million people in Britain are named Valentine.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • William

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Julie
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

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