Walker

Origin: The surname Walker is of English and Scottish origin, derived from the Middle English word "walkere", referring to someone who walked on raw, damp cloth in order to thicken and clean it during the manufacturing process.

History: The surname Walker has ancient roots in England and Scotland, with records dating back to the early medieval period. It was originally an occupational surname for those who worked as fullers or cloth-walkers in the textile industry. Walkers were responsible for processing wool or cloth by walking on it in water to clean and thicken the fabric. As this industry was vital to the economy of the medieval period, Walkers were considered skilled artisans.

Distribution: The surname Walker is one of the most common surnames in the United Kingdom and is widespread in English-speaking countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous Individuals:

  • Alice Walker (b. 1944): An American novelist, essayist, and poet known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple".

  • Jimmy Walker (1881-1946): A British footballer who played for Chelsea and the England national team during the early 1900s.

  • Johnny Walker (b. 1982): A Scottish actor known for his role as Ser Bronn of the Blackwater in the television series "Game of Thrones".

Coat of Arms: The Walker family crest typically features a shield with symbols of strength, loyalty, and valor, such as lions, swords, or shields. The crest is often accompanied by a motto that reflects the family's values or aspirations.

Modern Usage: The surname Walker continues to be a popular and well-recognized surname in contemporary society. Many individuals with the surname Walker take pride in their heritage and the historical significance of their family name.

There are approximately 184,178 people named Walker in the UK. That makes it the 12th most common surname in Britain. Around 2,828 in a million people in Britain are named Walker.

Surname type: Occupational name

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
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.