Valentin
A surname from the Latin name Valentinus, meaning “strong” or “healthy,” often associated with St. Valentine.
The #1,868 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 16,071 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Valentin is a surname taken from the medieval personal name Valentin, Latin Valentinus, from valens, meaning “strong,” “healthy,” or “vigorous.” In English and French records it can appear as a hereditary surname formed from the given name rather than from a place or occupation. The same root also lies behind Valentine, Vallentine, Vallentin, and related spellings.
History
The name spread widely in Christian Europe through the cult of St. Valentine, so it was often used as a baptismal name before becoming a surname. Historical surname records show forms such as Valentin, Vallentine, Vallentin, and Valentyne in England and Continental Europe. In German and French usage, it remained closely tied to the personal name and its saintly associations.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Latin root that produced Valentin also gave English the word valiant through related Romance forms.
From the historical record
“VALENTINE (A.-Fr.-Lat.) the YrenchValentin, m., Valentine, f., Lat. Valentin-us, -a [f. Lat. valens, valentis, strong, healthy] VALLANCE 1 (A.-Fr.-Lat.) Bel. to Valence”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)