The name "Walker" is first recorded in The Book of Fees in A.D.1242 as Waucre, and later as Walkyr in the Inquisitiones post mortem of A.D.1268.

It is held by Eilert Ekwall (Dictionary of English Place-names, 1936, 1960) to be derived from Middle English Wall Kerr - the marsh by the (Roman) Wall

kerr or carr comes from Old West Scandinavian kjarr; a marsh. The term is most often used for a marsh overgrown with trees such as alder and willow.

wealle, wall is the Old English word for a wall, in this case The Wall built by the Romans. The Wall, which is marked today by the route of the Fossway, is the northern limit to the area.