Walker Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Walker surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
Origin of the Walker name
Walker is an occupational name from Middle English walkere, a fuller who cleaned and thickened cloth by treading it in water. Fulling was a major medieval trade, especially in northern England, where Walker remains particularly common. It ranks among the most frequent surnames in Britain and America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Walker name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Walker name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Walker family history
The researched Walker pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Walker coat of arms.
Walker name FAQ
What does the Walker name mean?
Cloth fuller (walker of cloth). Common variants include Walkar, Waulker, Fuller.
Where does the Walker surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Walker coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Walker crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Walker coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; US Census Bureau 2010; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).