English and Scottish (Angus and Aberdeenshire): from the Middle English and Old French personal name Valentin, Latin Valentinus, a derivative of valens ‘strong, healthy’, which was never common in England, but is occasionally found from the end of the 12th century, probably as the result of French influence. The name was borne by a 3rd-century Christian saint and martyr, whose chief claim to fame is that his feast falls on February 14, the date of a traditional celebration of spring going back to the Roman fertility festival of Juno Februata. A 5th-century missionary bishop of Rhaetia of this name was venerated especially in southern Germany, being invoked as a patron against gout and epilepsy. In North America, this surname has absorbed cognates from other languages, e.g. German, Croatian, Czech, and Slovenian Valentin , Italian Valentino .