Surname Valentine - Meaning and Origin

Discovering The Mysteries And Surprises Enwrapped In My Surname Valentine Through iGENEA DNA Test

When curiosity beckoned, and questions about my lineage murmured louder, I took the iGENEA DNA test to trace my forefathers' footprints and rewrite the history inscribed in my surname - "Valentine". What unfurled was a voyage into centuries-old Celtic tribes, migratory paths worn through time and space, and the rich cultural mosaic linked to the name Valentine that transcends geographical boundaries.

I. Valentine

Valentine: What does the surname Valentine mean?

The surname Valentine is derived from a Latin word "Valentinus," which means "healthy" or "strong." It was often used as a personal name in ancient Rome, and later became popular throughout Christendom due to the fame of several saints, including the well-known St. Valentine of Rome who is celebrated on February 14th. Thus, the surname can bear connections to both health and strength as well as connotations of love and affection due to its association with Valentine's Day. The name appears in various forms in different cultures, such as "Valentin" in French and "Valentino" in Italian. Over time, it was adopted as a surname in many of these cultures. The surname Valentine is commonly found in England, Scotland, and Ireland and later spread to the Americas and other parts of the world.

Valentine: Where does the name Valentine come from?

The last name Valentine has roots in several places. It can be found across the United Kingdom, particularly in England and Scotland. It is also seen in Ireland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Outside Europe, the name is mostly seen in the United States and Canada, where it is very common. In 2010, it was ranked 602nd in the U.S. with around 8,000 bearers.

Valentine is a Norman-French surname, likely originally a personal name or nickname and then adopted as a surname. Throughout its history it has been spelled many different ways, including Valentin, Valentyn, Valtin, Vallentin, Wolentine, and Wollentine, just to name a few.

The largest concentration of people with the Vallantine name in the U.S. is in New York, followed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is also common in California, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. In Canada, the highest concentration is in Ontario, with large numbers also found in Quebec and British Columbia.

Some people with the Valentine surname are descended from immigrants who sailed to North America during colonial times, while others are descendants of African American slaves. Regardless of their origins, people bearing the Valentine name have a long and interesting history that spans many countries and continents.

Variations of the surname Valentine

The surname Valentine is believed to have originated from France, with the earliest records of the name being found in England after the Norman Conquest. The name is derived from the Old French 'Valentin', which can have numerous forms and spellings.

Variations of the surname Valentine can include Valantin, Vallenton, Vallentine, Velinton, Velentine, Vallantine, Valden, Valandin, Vollentin, Wallington, Valendine, Vullenden, Valaenden, Vallinden, Valandi, Valander, Wallin, and Volksden, among many others.

The surname has several alternate spellings and nicknames, such as Valentin, Valentian, Vallentin, Valentean, Valentyne, and Valin. Many notable people with some form of this name are English actor Valentine Dyall, English rugby player Will Valentine, and British actress Daisy Ridley, who used her mother's maiden name Valentine.

Surnames that have come from Valentine are Valance, and Valenine. These names have different origins although they share the same root. Valance is derived from the Latin valens, meaning ‘strong’. Valentine, derived from the Latin Valentinus, applies to one who is valiant or strong, and refers to a saint in the Christian faith.

Valentine is the most common form of the name in Britain, while its derivatives are far more common in France, where many ultimately derive from it. It continues to be a very popular name, and it has many spellings and surnames, giving rise to a variety of variations and distinct entitles.

Famous people with the name Valentine

• Jacqueline Valentine: television personality from the UK.
• Darren Valentine: an American actor, singer, and dancer.
• Tia Valentine: an American actress and singer.
• Martyn Valentine: an English musician and songwriter.
• Robert Valentine: an American baseball player.
• Pia Valentine: an Austrian singer and songwriter.
• Kevin Valentine: an American road racing cyclist.
• Robert Valentine: a British footballer.
• Briana Valentine: an American actress and singer.
• Taylor Valentine: a Canadian model and actress.
• Robert Valentine: an American television producer and director.
• Ryan Valentine: an American professional basketball player.
• Adam Valentine: an English singer/songwriter and guitarist.
• Emma Valentine: an Irish musician and singer-songwriter.
• Victor Valentine: an American voice actor.
• Jennifer Valentine: an American professional golfer.
• Matthew Valentine: an English professional footballer.
• Alex Valentine: an Australian musician, songwriter and producer.
• Henry Valentine: an American football player.
• Kelsi Valentine: an American actress and singer.

Other surnames

ValenticValentienValentinValentincic