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

Whiteface, 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 Whiteface surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiteface in America

Whiteface is the 113155th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiteface surname appeared 155 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 Whiteface.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whiteface 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 Whiteface

The surname Whiteface is believed to have its origins in England during the Medieval period, specifically around the 12th or 13th century. This surname is a classic example of an occupational or descriptive name, which were common during these times. It is derived from Old English components, likely the words "hwit," meaning white, and "fæs," an archaic term related to face. This suggests that the name may have initially described someone with a notably pale complexion or possibly someone who dealt with white substances, such as a miller covered in flour.

The areas where the surname Whiteface was first recorded include regions of East Anglia and the Midlands of England. These regions were known for agricultural productivity and milling. The name appears in various historical records, though less frequently than more common surnames. An early mention of the name can be found in tax rolls and land grants during the reign of King Edward I in the late 13th century.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Whiteface is believed to be in a 1284 Gloucestershire tax roll, where a certain William Whiteface is listed as a property owner. This reference suggests that the name was established enough to be used in formal records by that time. Other early references include a John Whiteface, who appears in the Manor Rolls of Norfolk in 1346, indicating the name's use across different counties.

Interestingly, the surname also appears in Scottish records, pointing towards migration or adoption of the name in border areas. A notable individual in Scotland was Thomas Whiteface, who held a tenement in Aberdeen around 1452, as noted in the Burgh Records.

One of the more renowned figures bearing the surname Whiteface was Arthur Whiteface, a prominent tailor in London during the Elizabethan era, born around 1530 and died in 1592, known for his association with theatrical costuming for plays performed at The Globe Theatre. His contributions to fashion and theatre were well-documented, providing insight into the livelihoods and influence of individuals with this surname.

Another historical figure is Margaret Whiteface, born in 1688 and recorded in parish registers in Yorkshire. She is noted for her role in the local community in the early 18th century as a midwife, a crucial occupation during that period.

In the 19th century, James Whiteface, born in 1821, emigrated to the United States and was instrumental in establishing a small farming community in Ohio. His legacy includes the founding of a local church and a school, indicating the continued presence and influence of the Whiteface name.

The surname Whiteface, though not exceedingly common, provides a window into the lives and roles of medieval and early modern individuals, illustrating the confluence of occupational and descriptive origins that characterize many English surnames.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiteface

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

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Whiteface, 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!