Meaning & History
Scottish: from the Older Scots personal name Walef or Waldef, from the Middle English personal name Walthef, Waldef, Walthew, Wallef (Old English Wælthēof, an Anglicized form of Old Norse Valthiófr), composed of the elements val ‘battle’ + thiofr ‘thief’, i.e. one who snatched victory out of defeat in battle. Compare English Walthall.