Walken
A Germanic surname derived from the root "walk", referring to a fuller of cloth or walker.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 206 Americans carry the last name Walken. That puts it at #108,199 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.06 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,663,856 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Walken 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
206
1 in 1,663,856
Census rank
#108,199
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
164
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 164 bearers of the surname Walken in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 108199th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Walken, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.0%. The next largest groups are Black (32.9%) and Two or More Races (9.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Walken
The surname WALKEN has its origins in medieval England, tracing back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "walcen," which means "to walk" or "to tread." The name was likely given to someone who walked with a distinct gait or who was known for their walking abilities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name WALKEN can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the year 1275, where a person named Roger Walken is mentioned. The name also appears in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire from 1279, listing a William Walken.
In the 14th century, the WALKEN surname was prevalent in the counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire. It is believed that the name may have originated from place names such as Walkington in East Yorkshire or Walton in various locations across England.
The WALKEN surname has a strong connection to the village of Walkington, located near the city of Beverley in East Yorkshire. During the medieval period, this village was known for its flourishing wool trade, and it is possible that the name WALKEN originated from individuals associated with this industry.
One notable bearer of the WALKEN surname was Sir John Walken, a prominent figure in the 15th century. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1420 and was a respected merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
In the 16th century, the WALKEN surname gained recognition through the work of Thomas Walken (c. 1518-1568), an English Protestant reformer and martyr. Walken was burned at the stake in 1568 for his religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary I.
Another influential figure with the WALKEN surname was Christopher Walken (1616-1658), an English Puritan minister and writer. He authored several religious works and was known for his fiery sermons advocating for religious reform.
The 17th century saw the rise of Sir John Walken (1633-1718), a prominent English politician and landowner. He served as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire and was instrumental in the development of the East Retford area.
In the 18th century, the WALKEN surname gained literary significance through the works of James Walken (1725-1798), an English poet and playwright. His most notable work, "The Tragedy of Valens," was widely acclaimed in its time.
These historical figures and records exemplify the rich heritage and significance of the WALKEN surname, which has left an indelible mark on various aspects of English history and culture over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Walken
Among Census respondents with the surname Walken, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.0%. The next largest groups are Black (32.9%) and Two or More Races (9.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Walken 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 Walken surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White53.0%
- Black or African American32.9%
- Two or more races9.2%
- Hispanic or Latino3.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Walken 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 | #108,199 | #108,199 | 0.0% |
| Count | 164 | 164 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Walken bearers went from 164 to 164 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #108,199 to #108,199.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Walken
FAQ
Walken surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Walken?
The surname Walken holds position #108,199 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 206 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.06 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Walken surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Walken, the largest self-reported group is White at 53.0%. The next largest groups are Black (32.9%) and Two or More Races (9.2%). 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.