Walker Cemetery Records
Search burial records, grave locations, and genealogy data for the Walker family name across all 50 states.
🏺 Origin of the Walker Surname
Walker is an English occupational surname for a "walker" — someone who walked on cloth to clean and thicken it in the cloth-making process (fulling). This ancient textile trade made Walker a common occupational surname in northern England and Scotland, where the woolen textile industry was important.
🇺🇸 Walker Families in American History
Walker families came to America from England and Scotland. The name is found across all regions. Walker is also among the top-25 most common African American surnames — the Madam C.J. Walker tradition is central to African American history.
Where Walker Families Are Concentrated
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | Strong Appalachian Walker heritage with deep colonial roots |
| North Carolina | Common both white and Black Walker families; colonial heritage |
| Alabama | Strong African American Walker population; Madam C.J. Walker connections |
| Virginia | Colonial-era Walker families in Virginia Piedmont and western areas |
| Georgia | Walker County in NW Georgia; Civil War significance |
Famous Americans Named Walker
First self-made female millionaire in America; buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY
Author of The Color Purple; born in Eatonton, GA
Mayor of New York City; buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Hartsdale, NY
Filibuster who briefly ruled Nicaragua; executed and buried in Trujillo, Honduras
Sample Walker Burial Records
| Name | Birth | Death | Cemetery | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madam C.J. Walker | 1867 | 1919 | Woodlawn Cemetery | NY |
Search Tips for Walker Family Records
Madam C.J. Walker family: Delta, Louisiana and Indianapolis (where she built her business) have key records
Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx has extensive records for the C.J. Walker burial and associated family
For Appalachian Walker families: Baptist and Methodist church records in TN, NC, VA
Walker County, Georgia records are important for NW Georgia Walker families
African American Walker families: Louisiana, Indiana, and New York are key areas based on C.J. Walker's migration pattern
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walker an exclusively English/Scottish surname?
Walker is predominantly English and Scottish in origin, derived from the woolen cloth-walking trade. Some Walker families of other origins adopted the name in America. The occupational origin means it developed independently in areas with wool cloth production.
How do I find Madam C.J. Walker family records?
Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) was born in Delta, Louisiana in 1867. Louisiana birth records, Delta plantation records, and Indianapolis business records are the key archives. The Indiana Historical Society has significant Walker business and family documentation.
Were there Walker families among Quakers or other nonconformist groups?
Yes — Walker families appear in Quaker meeting records from Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. Quaker records are exceptionally well-preserved and are searchable through the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College.
Are there Walker family records from the Civil War period?
Yes. Walker County, Georgia was a site of significant Civil War action. Confederate and Union pension records, unit rosters, and cemetery records document many Walker soldiers. The National Archives holds comprehensive Civil War service records.
Search All Walker Burial Records
250 free record views per month. Find your Walker ancestors across all 50 states. No credit card required.
Search Walker Records Free →