Walden
From an English place name meaning "valley of the Britons," or from a German place name meaning "forested valley."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 28,826 Americans carry the last name Walden. That puts it at #1,435 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 8.41 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 11,890 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Walden surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
29K
1 in 11,890
Census rank
#1,435
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
8.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
25K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 24,821 bearers of the surname Walden in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 8.41 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1435th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Walden, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.1%. The next largest groups are Black (16.4%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Walden
The surname Walden has its origins in England and can be traced back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words 'weald' meaning 'forest' and 'denu' meaning 'valley', referring to people who lived in a wooded valley or forest clearing.
Walden is a locational surname, meaning it originated from a place name. The earliest recorded instance of the name Walden appears in the Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1166, where a person named William de Walda is mentioned. This early spelling variation suggests the name was likely derived from Walden, a town in Essex.
The Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of landholdings in England compiled in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname Walden. However, it does mention several places with similar names, such as Waldene in Hertfordshire and Waleden in Essex, indicating the name's geographical origins.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Walden was Roger de Walden, who lived in the late 13th century and served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1395 to 1397. Another notable figure was Sir William de Walden, who was born in the late 13th century and served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1370.
During the 15th century, the surname Walden appeared in various spellings, including Waldeyn, Waldene, and Walden. One notable bearer of the name from this period was Thomas Walden (c. 1420 - c. 1490), an English priest and theologian who served as the Provincial Minister of the Carmelite Order in England.
In the 16th century, the surname Walden continued to be found in various parts of England. One notable figure was Ralph Walden (c. 1516 - 1586), an English politician and Member of Parliament who represented Huntingdonshire in the House of Commons during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
Over the centuries, the surname Walden has been associated with various places in England, including Walden in Essex, Saffron Walden in Essex, and Walden in Hertfordshire. While the name has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been borne by several notable individuals across various fields, reflecting its enduring presence in England.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Walden
Among Census respondents with the surname Walden, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.1%. The next largest groups are Black (16.4%) and Two or More Races (2.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Walden bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Walden surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White78.1%
- Black or African American16.4%
- Two or more races2.0%
- Hispanic or Latino1.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.0%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.5%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Walden surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,435 | #1,435 | 0.0% |
| Count | 24,821 | 24,821 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 8.41 | 8.41 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Walden bearers went from 24,821 to 24,821 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,435 to #1,435.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Walden
FAQ
Walden surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Walden?
The surname Walden holds position #1,435 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 28,826 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 8.41 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Walden surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Walden, the largest self-reported group is White at 78.1%. The next largest groups are Black (16.4%) and Two or More Races (2.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.