Find out how popular the last name Walker is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Walker.

Walker, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Walker surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Walker in America

Walker is the 147095th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Walker surname appeared 103 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Walker.

The history of the last name Walker

The surname Wlaker is of English origin, which can be traced back to the medieval period. The name is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Saxon regions of England. The earliest roots of this surname likely connect to occupational origins, deriving from the Old English word "wealcan," which means "to walk or roll." This term could have been used to describe a fuller, someone who cleaned and thickened woolen cloth through a process known as walking or fulling.

Historical records reveal various instances of the surname Wlaker in medieval documents. One of the earliest documented appearances is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a landholder named Alric Wlaker is listed. The listing of surnames in the Domesday Book provides critical evidence about the use and prevalence of surnames in Norman England. Variant spellings like "Walker" and "Walkar" are found in other medieval manuscripts, showing subtle differences over time but pointing back to a common origin.

Another notable historical reference includes John Wlaker, who appears in tax rolls in Yorkshire during the early 14th century (circa 1301). These tax rolls, often called the Lay Subsidy Rolls, provide insight into the distribution and occupational roles of individuals bearing the surname.

In terms of place names, there is indication from ancient records that a location known as Wlaker's Estate existed in the county of Suffolk during the 15th century. The inhabitants of this estate likely adopted the surname Wlaker, influencing the spread of the name in that region.

Prominent figures in history bearing the surname include Thomas Wlaker, an English merchant involved in the wool trade during the 1500s. Thomas, born around 1494, contributed significantly to the economic boost of the English textile industry before his death in 1558. Another figure is Elizabeth Wlaker, an early 17th-century herbalist, known for her contributions to herbal medicine. Elizabeth, born in 1602, documented several remedies and treatments before her death in 1657.

Edward Wlaker, born in 1622 and passing in 1675, served as a clergyman noted for his sermons and religious publications during the English Civil War. His writings reflect the socio-religious climate of his time. A later individual, Samuel Wlaker, was an influential figure in the early 19th century, particularly around 1820, as an advocate for social reform in industrial England.

Finally, Mary Wlaker, ranked among the first women in England to publish a series of essays on women's education in the mid-19th century, emphasized gender equality in academia. She was born in 1828 and died in 1889, leaving behind a legacy of progressive thought and advocacy for women's rights.

These historical references highlight the journey of the surname Wlaker from its medieval occupational roots to its presence among notable individuals across various centuries, reflecting a tapestry of social, economic, and cultural evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Walker

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Walker.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Walker was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Walker was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Walker, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!