One of the most interesting of name origins is depicted in this surname. It is of early medieval English origin, but in fact relates to the incoming Flemish weavers who were often known generically by their place of origin, i.e., Walloon. William the Conqueror's wife was Flemish, as were many of his followers, and a large number of them followed him to England at the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Many others followed afterwards, bringing with them such skills as weaving and tapestry. The surname is, therefore, a locational regional descriptive nickname, meaning "the man from Walloon". The surname dates back to the mid 16th Century (see below). Recordings from London Church Registers include: the marriage of Edward Walne and Lucretia Deanes on October 12th 1729, at St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street; the christening of Thomas, son of James and Mary Walne, on September 20th 1756, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney; and their son, John, who was christened on May 29th 1763, in the same place. A Coat of Arms which was granted to a Walne family in Brockdish, Norfolk, depicts a lion rampant between three black mullets, the Crest being a black lion rampant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Elizabeth Wallyn, which was dated 1540, christened at St. Margaret's, Westminster, London, during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Good King Hal", 1509 - 1547. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.