Walker Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Walker Name Meaning: Has origins of Anglo-Scottish connections. Its name comes from the occupation of thickening raw cloth in a tub of liquid (water or sometimes urine) and treading on it.

It was first recorded in Yorkshire in 1260.

Discover how your Walker ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Walker Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Walker family

Profession Census Frequency
School 10,452
Private Means 858
Coal Miner Hewer 743
General Labourer 663
Labourer 661
Farm Labourer 646
General Servant (domestic) 538
Farmer 485
None 446
Dressmaker 439
At Home 375
Domestic Servant 339
Cotton Weaver 329
Clerk 323
At School 295
Housekeeper 288
Weaver 276
Shop Assistant 259
House Painter 247
Scholar 245
House Keeper 230
Joiner 229
Bricklayer 205
Carter 203
Charwoman 198

Walker Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Walker 100% 609,063
2 Wilker 83% 2,090
3 Wacher 67% 1,018
4 Welker 83% 200
5 Wolker 83% 192
6 Wallker 86% 141
7 Wlaker 67% 140

Did you know?

The surname Walker is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Walker family