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

Whiteeagle, 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 Whiteeagle surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiteeagle in America

Whiteeagle is the 40371st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiteeagle surname appeared 542 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 Whiteeagle.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whiteeagle 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 Whiteeagle

The surname Whiteeagle has its origins deeply rooted in Native American culture, particularly among the Plains tribes such as the Lakota, Sioux, and Comanche. These tribes historically inhabited regions that are now part of the central United States, specifically in states like South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Montana. The name likely gained prominence during the late 18th or early 19th century, a period when Native American oral traditions began to be documented more rigorously by settlers, historians, and anthropologists.

Whiteeagle is a compound surname, comprised of "white," representing purity or a sacred element, and "eagle," symbolic of power, leadership, and spiritual connection in Native American belief systems. The eagle, considered one of the most revered birds, often embodies the Great Spirit in various tribal lore. Its white form would signify an elevated or spiritual status, making the bearer of the name someone of great importance or respect.

The earliest known appearance of this surname in written records can be traced back to the early 19th century. Tribal councils and treaties with the U.S. government often documented Native American leaders, some of whom bore this surname. Much of this documentation can be found in government archives and historical treaties. For instance, the 1830 Treaty of Prairie du Chien mentions a Chief White Eagle among the signatories, illustrating the name’s early adoption and its significance.

One of the most historically notable individuals with the surname is Chief White Eagle of the Ponca tribe, who was born around 1825 and passed away in 1914. He played a pivotal role during the forced relocation of his people, famously leading them in the Ponca Trail of Tears. Another noteworthy person is Henry White Eagle, a talented artist and craftsman born in 1880, known for his intricate beadwork and traditional clothing that exemplified Native American art.

There was also Standing White Eagle, a famed Lakota warrior born in 1833, who fought valiantly in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. His story is frequently told in Lakota oral histories and is considered a symbol of resistance and bravery among his people. Lucy White Eagle, born in 1892 and known for her work as a tribal educator and advocate for Native American rights, worked tirelessly throughout her life until her death in 1975, ensuring the preservation of her culture and language.

Another important figure is Thomas White Eagle, a key player in the American Indian Movement during the 1960s and 1970s, who was born in 1941 and passed away in 1993. Known for his activism, his contributions significantly impacted the Native American civil rights movement, ensuring greater representation and protection for indigenous communities.

The surname Whiteeagle thus holds a significant place in Native American heritage, embodying ideals of leadership, bravery, and spiritual connection. The historical references and prominent figures associated with this surname further highlight its deep-rooted reverence and the remarkable stories carried by those who bore it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiteeagle

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

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

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

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