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

Whiteowl, 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 Whiteowl surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiteowl in America

Whiteowl is the 140157th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiteowl surname appeared 119 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 Whiteowl.

The history of the last name Whiteowl

The surname Whiteowl is believed to have its origins in North America, particularly among the indigenous tribes of the Great Plains and Central Woodlands. The etymology of the name links it directly to the characteristics and totemic significance of owls in Native American culture. Owls were often considered symbols of wisdom and messengers from the spirit world. The white owl, in particular, could signify a special kind of wisdom or spiritual insight.

In historical records, the name Whiteowl does not appear in European manuscripts such as the Domesday Book, which primarily documented Anglo-Saxon and Norman landholdings in England. Rather, its first significant references are found in colonial record-keeping from the 18th and 19th centuries in North America. Various tribes such as the Lakota, Ojibwe, and Cherokee have documented the use of animal names in their oral traditions and registries of recognized tribal members.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Whiteowl is Chief White Owl, a noted leader of the Lakota Sioux, documented in the late 1700s. He was known for his diplomatic efforts in negotiating with European settlers and other tribes. Another early reference is to a White Owl Woman, recorded in an 1821 treaty between the United States government and the Osage Nation, indicating her status and influence within her community.

In the late 19th century, John Whiteowl appears in records from Oklahoma, born in 1869 and passing in 1941. He was noted for his speeches on indigenous rights and cultural education, becoming a known figure in preserving Native American heritage during a time of significant cultural upheaval.

Moving into the 20th century, we encounter Susan Whiteowl, born in 1903 and active until her death in 1978. She was a prominent storyteller and preserver of folktales within the Iroquois Confederacy, contributing significantly to the written preservation of oral traditions.

Another notable individual is Matthew Whiteowl, born in 1925, who served in the U.S. military during World War II and later became an advocate for Native American veterans, creating outreach programs and support systems for returning soldiers of indigenous descent.

Lastly, Isabella Whiteowl, born in 1932, made her mark as an artist. She was known for incorporating traditional motifs and themes into modern art, thus bridging the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary forms of expressions.

The significance of the surname Whiteowl carries a deep sense of cultural heritage and spirituality, reflective of the important roles owls play in various Native American cultures as symbols of wisdom and mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiteowl

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

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 Whiteowl 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.

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

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

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