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

Whitcher, 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 Whitcher surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitcher in America

Whitcher is the 20871st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitcher surname appeared 1,263 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 Whitcher.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitcher 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 Whitcher

The surname Whitcher has its origins in England, specifically dating back to the medieval period. This surname is predominantly found in the southern regions of England, including Hampshire and Dorset. The name Whitcher is believed to have derived from Old English words or phases related to the profession or characteristics of the individuals bearing it.

The possible etymological roots of the surname Whitcher can be traced back to the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "cier," which could be associated with a worker or servant, giving rise to a name that might have originally referred to a worker in white or someone who wore white garments, potentially linked to a specific occupation or trade.

Historical references to the surname Whitcher are scant but compelling. It does not appear in major records such as the Domesday Book of 1086, suggesting it gained prominence later. The earliest definitive recorded example of the surname Whitcher appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Hampshire in 1332, where a John Whitcher is noted. This record places the name clearly in the south of England during the early 14th century.

By the mid-17th century, Edward Whitcher was recorded as a landowner in Dorset. His possessions and responsibilities indicate that the Whitcher family had established some level of social and economic standing within the local community. Edward's descendants continued to leave their mark on the historical records of the region.

Another significant figure in history bearing the surname Whitcher is Henry Whitcher, who was born in 1782 and died in 1866. Henry was known as a craftsman and contributed to the architectural landscape of rural Hampshire with his artisan skills. His work is remembered in some local structures that bear the stylistic hallmark of early 19th-century craftsmanship.

Susannah Whitcher, born in 1814, is a notable literary figure hailing from a later period. She authored several gothic novels in the mid-1800s, contributing to the cultural tapestry of Victorian England. Her writings gained moderate recognition during her lifetime and reflect the literary inclinations and capabilities of the Whitcher family.

Francis Whitcher, born in 1845, took the name across the Atlantic and became a prominent figure in American history as a pioneer and settler in the Midwest. His diaries and records offer valuable insights into the struggles and triumphs of early American settlers.

The Whitcher surname also appears in various place names, such as Whitcher’s Wood in Hampshire, suggesting a long-standing connection with specific localities. The variations in spelling over time, such as Wytcher or Wytchere, demonstrate the organic evolution of the name in line with phonetic changes and regional dialects.

Throughout history, the Whitcher surname has shown a propensity for association with craftsmanship, literature, and pioneering spirit. The lineage can be traced through key historical figures, who left a lasting impact on their respective societies and regions. Each iteration of the surname in historical documents offers a glimpse into the lives and contributions of individuals who carried the Whitcher name across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitcher

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

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 Whitcher 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 Whitcher 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 Whitcher was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!