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

Whitehorse, 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 Whitehorse surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitehorse in America

Whitehorse is the 38902nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitehorse surname appeared 567 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 Whitehorse.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitehorse 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 Whitehorse

The surname Whitehorse is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. The name is a combination of the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "hors," meaning horse. This suggests that the name could have been originally descriptive, perhaps referring to someone who owned a white horse or lived near an area where white horses were common.

The earliest recorded appearance of the surname Whitehorse can be traced back to the 13th century. Documents from this time period, particularly those related to land transactions and tenancies, sometimes recorded individuals by their surnames. An early reference can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, wherein a William Whitehorse is listed in Cambridgeshire. This record provides a glimpse into the early usage of the surname and its geographical roots.

In the early 14th century, another notable appearance of the surname is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex, where a John Whitehorse is mentioned. Such rolls, which were tax records, indicate that the name had begun to spread beyond its original locus in Cambridgeshire.

The surname also makes an appearance in historical manuscripts related to the English peerage. Sir Robert Whitehorse, born circa 1350 and passed away in 1415, served as a knight under King Henry IV during the late 14th to early 15th century. His service in the military during the Hundred Years' War earned him some recognition, thus bringing attention to the name.

By the 15th century, documentation reveals the surname Whitehorse in various parts of England. For instance, another notable bearer, Anne Whitehorse, born in 1430, married into a noble family in Yorkshire, solidifying the presence of the surname in the social registers of the time.

Historical place names also sometimes reflect the usage of surnames. Whitehorse Hill, located in Oxfordshire, is an example where the name might resonate with local topography and family dwellings. Over time, the place names could have influenced the survival and spread of the surname.

The 17th century saw John Whitehorse, born in 1610, an academic who made strides in the field of theology and philosophy at the University of Cambridge. His writings contributed to the intellectual discussions of the time and further entrenched the surname within academic circles.

Throughout its history, the surname Whitehorse has been borne by various notable individuals, including Thomas Whitehorse, a merchant who was actively involved in trans-Atlantic trade during the early 18th century. Thomas was born around 1680 and helped establish commercial links between England and the American colonies.

Despite its specific historical origins, the surname Whitehorse has maintained a relatively low profile compared to more common surnames. Its usage, often tied to specific regions, family histories, and notable individuals, provides a fascinating glimpse into its storied past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitehorse

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

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

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

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