Find out how popular the last name Whisby is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Whisby.

Whisby, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Whisby surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whisby in America

Whisby is the 76275th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whisby surname appeared 252 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Whisby.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whisby to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Whisby

The surname Whisby is believed to have its origins in England, and its presence can be traced back to the medieval period. The name Whisby might be derived from a place name, possibly acting as a locative surname. England has a rich history of using place names as surnames, and Whisby seems to follow this tradition. The region of Lincolnshire is often considered to be one of the likely sources, where such names were commonly adopted.

Variations of the surname Whisby can be traced back to early spellings like Wisbech or Wisbie. These older spellings are indicative of the name's evolution over the centuries. The medieval period saw a great deal of variation in spelling, partly due to the phonetic nature of recording names at the time and the lack of standardized spelling.

An important historical reference for the surname Whisby appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a place called Wisbech is documented. Although the exact connection to the surname is not conclusively established, it provides a significant cultural and linguistic context for the name. Similarly, in the 13th century, records from the Hundred Rolls mention a John de Whisby, indicating that the surname was in use during that time.

The earliest recorded example of the surname Whisby dates back to Peter Whisby, born in 1490, who was a merchant in Lincolnshire. Peter's records indicate the use of the surname in a locative context, where 'de Whisby' suggests a designation from a geographic location. This further cements the notion that the name is tied to a specific place, likely a settlement or a notable landmark.

Another notable figure bearing the Whisby surname is Margaret Whisby, born in 1543, who was documented in marriage records in Coventry. Her life and connections provide valuable insight into the spread and social integration of the surname beyond its original locale. In the 17th century, records mention Thomas Whisby, a yeoman farmer in Yorkshire, born in 1620. His existence highlights the name's reach across various English counties and its association with agricultural and rural communities.

In the 18th century, the name appears in parish records referencing Elizabeth Whisby, born in 1715 in London. Her descendants continued to reside in urban centers, indicating the gradual migration of the surname from rural to metropolitan areas. The movement of the Whisby surname to larger cities mirrors broader societal trends and changes in occupation and lifestyle.

By the 19th century, the Whisby surname had further solidified its presence in various legal and parish documents. A significant mention is of William Whisby, born in 1832, who was involved in early railway developments in Birmingham. His contributions to the industrial advancements of the time showcase the adaptability and varied occupational roles of the Whisby name-bearers.

In sum, the surname Whisby has a deep-rooted history in England, originating from locative elements tied to specific places. Over centuries, it evolved in spelling and spread across different regions, establishing presence in both rural and urban areas. The Whisby name, as showcased through figures like Peter, Margaret, Thomas, Elizabeth, and William Whisby, reflects a rich tapestry of historical relevance and societal integration.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whisby

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Whisby.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Whisby was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Whisby has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Whisby was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Whisby, please contact us.

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