Surname Wallbank - Meaning and Origin

Wallbank: What does the surname Wallbank mean?

The surname Wallbank is of English origin and is habitational, meaning it is derived from a place name. It is thought to have originated from a village named Wallbank near Rossendale in the county of Lancashire, England. The name itself can be broken down into two Old English words - 'weall', meaning a wall (often used to denote a Roman or other ancient wall), and 'banke', meaning a bank or a hill. Therefore, Wallbank can be interpreted to mean 'hill with a wall'. This suggests that the original bearers of this surname likely lived near or on a hill that had a significant wall, most likely a notable landscape feature in the area. As with many other British surnavals, the name has evolved in spelling over centuries. Variations of the name include Wallbanks, Walbank, Wallbanke, and others. Families with the surname Wallbank can be found in England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among other countries.

Wallbank: Where does the name Wallbank come from?

The last name Wallbank is common in parts of England with the most concentrated areas being in the North West and South Yorkshire. In the North West the most common area is North Lancashire in towns such as Carnforth, Arkholme, and Kirkby Lonsdale. In South Yorkshire, the largest clusters are located in the City of Sheffield and the surrounding rural villages along the A61 and A6109 roads.

The popularity of the name Wallbank appears to have waned slightly in recent decades, as fewer people are using it as a surname. The 2019 England and Wales Census found only 975 Wallbank households, around 0.002% of people living in the country. This number is likely reflective of the numerous Wallbanks who have emigrated to other countries over the past few centuries.

Wallbanks are known to have lived in the United States since the late 19th century, with accounts of Wallbank immigrants as far back as the 1870s. Today, the name Wallbank is much more common in the US than in England. Most American Wallbanks are descendants of British immigrants seeking a better life. The most concentrated clusters are located in California and Pennsylvania.

From its rural beginnings in England, the Wallbank name has spread around the world and taken different forms. Today, it is a common name in many parts of the world including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Wallbank

The surname Wallbank is a relatively uncommon British or Germanic surname, with its origins derived from the medieval word for a divide or boundary; a wall or a bank of stones or trees. It is a topographic surname, which was used to describe someone who lived near a wall or bank. There are several variants and spellings for the name, including Walbank, Wallbanks and Walbanke. In some cases, the 'l' may be dropped to form the Walbank surname.

The alternative to Wallbank includes the German version of the surname, Walbach. This descriptive surname is derived from 'wal' which means 'forest riverfa lls or stream', and 'bach' which means 'brook' or 'creek'. It was typically given to someone living in close proximity to such a water feature. Over the centuries and regions, the surnames, Wallbank and Walbach, have been used interchangeably.

In some forms, the surname Wallbank has been corrupted to Walpen or Warpen, which is derived from 'werfen' an old German word, meaning 'to cast or throw'. On rare occasions, the surname Warpen is of Dutch origin, and is taken from the Dutch word 'warps' meaning 'cottage'.

The Wallbank surname is quite rare and has been used since the medieval times. Variants and spellings of this name have been used throughout Europe, most commonly in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Famous people with the name Wallbank

• Jack Wallbank: British actor best known for his roles in television series such as Poldark, The Crown, and Broadchurch.
• Rhys Wallbank: British footballer who plays as a winger for Whitby Town FC.
• Margaret Wallbank: British chemist and the first female Executive Fellow of the National Physical Laboratory.
• JM Wallbank: British artist noted for his civic pride-themed oil paintings.
• Gordon Wallbank: Australian politician and businessman who served as a Member of Parliament for the South Australia in the 1950s and 60s.
• Harry Wallbank: English golfer who competed in the 1908 British Open Championship.
• Simon Wallbank: British guitarist and recording artist best known for his contributions to the metal music genre.
• Michael Wallbank: British screenwriter and one of the creators of the acclaimed sitcom The Royle Family.
• Matthew Wallbank: English cricketer who has played for Nottinghamshire CCC in recent season.
• Joanne Wallbank: British television presenter and journalist who has been seen on morning shows such as ITV's Good Morning Britain.

Other surnames

WallbanksWallbaum