Wallen
A surname of debated origin, most likely from a medieval personal name related to Walwyn/Walter or from an old term for a Walloon or foreigner.
The #4,763 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 41,520 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Wallen has been explained in more than one way. One 19th-century source links it with Walwyn, while another connects it to forms ultimately related to Walloon, from French and Latin words for a Gaul or foreigner. Because these explanations point to different name streams, the true origin may vary by family line and is not certain in every case.
History
English surname dictionaries from the 1800s and early 1900s treat Wallen as an established but relatively uncommon name. Some bearers may descend from medieval nickname or byname forms, while others may have taken the name through later spelling variation around Wallin, Walwyn, or similar forms. The name appears in British records and later in North America.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Early surname writers sometimes grouped Wallen with Wallin and Walwyn, showing how fluid spelling could be before modern standardization.
From the historical record
“O.E. land] WALLEN ] (A.-Fr.-Lat.)WALLOON[Fr.praHo»; WALLI N y f. Lat. Gall-us, a Gaul ( = O.H.Ger. WALLON J Walh, a Celt] 26o Waller Walne”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)