Scottish surname
The Welshman or foreigner
Descriptive surname
Wallace is a Scottish surname from the Old French 'waleis', meaning 'Welshman' or more generally 'foreigner'. It was originally applied to people of Brittonic (Welsh or Cumbric) origin living in southern Scotland. The most famous bearer is Sir William Wallace, the early 14th-century patriot and military leader.
The surname is common in southern Scotland and among Scottish emigrants. It remains strongly associated with Scottish national identity because of the historical figure of William Wallace.
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The Welshman or foreigner. Related to "Walsh", originally applied to Britons/Welsh-speakers living in what became Scotland.
Wallace is a Scottish-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.
Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.
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