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

Whiterock, 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 Whiterock surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiterock in America

Whiterock is the 74375th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiterock surname appeared 260 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 Whiterock.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whiterock 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 Whiterock

The surname Whiterock is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the Middle Ages. The name combines two Old English elements: "hwit," meaning white, and "rocc," meaning rock or stone. This suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a place known for its distinctive white rock formations or a prominent white stone landmark.

The earliest documentation of the surname appears in the 13th century in various records. One of the first references is found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296, where a John de Whiterok is listed, indicating a person from a place called Whiterock or White Rock. This would have been a descriptive term to help identify people based on their locale, a practice common in medieval England.

A place named Whiterock in Devon is another possible origin for the surname. This small village was known for its limestone quarries, which featured prominently white stones. The use of geographical features in surnames was widespread during this period, helping to differentiate between individuals as populations grew.

Historical records also show that Edward Whiterock, born circa 1525 in London, held substantial land and was involved in local governance. His name appears in parish registers and court documents from the mid-16th century. Edward’s descendants continued to use the surname, further establishing it within the region.

In the 17th century, the name appears in maritime records. Captain Thomas Whiterock, born in 1610 and deceased in 1672, was a well-known sea captain who traded goods between England and the American colonies. His journeys are documented in ship logs and trading company records, highlighting his prominence within the transatlantic trading community.

The Puritan migration to America in the early 1600s included several members of the Whiterock family. Records show that Matthew Whiterock, born in 1598, settled in Massachusetts by 1635 and became an influential figure in his community. His name appears in several colonial records, including land grants and church documents, reflecting his status and involvement in the early governance of the colony.

In the 18th century, another prominent figure was Harriet Whiterock, born in 1740 and deceased in 1801, known for her philanthropic efforts in London. She established several charities and was involved in the early movements towards education reform. Her contributions are documented in various public records and contemporary newspapers, highlighting her role in society.

The surname Whiterock, with its geographical roots and historical significance, has been carried by individuals who have made notable contributions in different fields. The documentation of their lives through various records provides a glimpse into the history and legacy of this distinctive surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiterock

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

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

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

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