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

Whitehorn, 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 Whitehorn surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitehorn in America

Whitehorn is the 21019th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitehorn surname appeared 1,251 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 Whitehorn.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitehorn 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 Whitehorn

The surname Whitehorn has its roots in England, dating back to the medieval period. The name is believed to originate from the Old English words "hwita" meaning "white" and "horn" meaning "horn," likely referring to a person who lived near a notable geographical feature, possibly a white-colored hill or a place where a specific kind of white-flowering thorn bush grew. This form of toponymic surname is common in English naming traditions and often helps in identifying the region where the original bearers of the name lived.

Historical references to the surname Whitehorn can be found in various medieval records, with one of the earliest known appearances being in the 13th century. The Hundred Rolls of 1273 mention a William Whitehorn in Norfolk, England. Medieval manuscripts such as these offer invaluable insights into the diffusion and commonality of surnames during that era.

The surname also appears in various forms and spellings over the centuries. For instance, a record from the Curia Regis Rolls in 1212 mentions a Richard Whithorn, showcasing a slight variation in the name that still points to the same etymological roots. Variations like Wythorne and Whitehorne have been detected, particularly in the regions surrounding Norfolk and Suffolk.

One noteworthy individual bearing the surname is John Whitehorn, born in 1645 in Suffolk. He was a well-respected miller whose community contributions were noted in several parish records. Another distinguished person is Samuel Whitehorn, born in 1712, who was a recognized merchant in the city of London. His business ventures made significant impacts during that time, and his records are well-documented in the city's archives.

In the 19th century, James Whitehorn, born in 1803, emerged as a prominent figure in agricultural development in Sussex. His innovative farming techniques were subjects of agricultural journals of the time. Another influential name is Dr. Arthur Whitehorn, born in 1856, who was known for his contributions to medical science and published several notable papers on emerging medical practices.

Elizabeth Whitehorn, born in 1887, became known as a suffragist and activist. Her efforts in campaigning for women's rights were extensively covered in newspapers and journals of the early 20th century, marking her as a significant historical figure bearing the surname.

These individuals, across different centuries, demonstrate the geographic spread and social influence of the Whitehorn surname in England. From medieval records to modern historical accounts, the name has been connected to various professions, regions, and contributions, adding depth and richness to its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitehorn

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

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

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

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