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

Whiteshirt, 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 Whiteshirt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiteshirt in America

Whiteshirt is the 160975th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiteshirt surname appeared 100 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 Whiteshirt.

The history of the last name Whiteshirt

The surname Whiteshirt traces its origins to England during the medieval period, particularly around the 12th and 13th centuries. It is believed to have been rooted in areas where surnames derived from occupations and physical attributes were common, such as the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name likely stems from the Old English words hwit, meaning "white," and scyrte, meaning "shirt." This combination suggests that the original bearers of the name were individuals who either wore distinctive white shirts or perhaps were clothiers or launderers specialized in creating or maintaining white garments.

The name Whiteshirt appears sporadically in historical records, often subject to variations in spelling due to the lack of standardized English orthography until much later periods. Early forms such as Whitesherte, Whitsherte, and Wytshyrte can be found in tax records, parish registers, and legal documents. One of the earliest known references to the name can be found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379, where a John Whitesherte is listed, indicating that the name was established and recognizable by that time.

Several historical figures bearing the surname have been documented over the centuries. Sir Thomas Whiteshirt, born in 1458 and died in 1523, served as a knight under King Henry VII and participated in the Battle of Bosworth. Agnes Whiteshirt, recorded in the mid-16th century in the parish records of Lancashire, is noted for her philanthropic contributions to local church renovations. Another notable individual is Richard Whiteshirt, who lived during the 17th century and was known for his writings on the wool trade in Yorkshire, reflecting the occupational linkage of the surname.

By the 18th century, the surname had spread to other parts of England and even beyond, appearing in colonial American records. Joseph Whiteshirt, born in 1702 and deceased in 1765, emigrated to Virginia and became a prominent landowner and farmer. The surname also interlinks with historical places; for instance, Whiteshirt Lane in Lancashire, known for its textile market, likely derived its name from the family involved in the trade of white cloth.

Finally, Mary Whiteshirt, born in 1821 and passing away in 1889, was a noted suffragette in the early movement for women’s rights in England. This highlights how the surname moved from its occupational roots into diverse sectors, reflecting the broader social changes over time.

The history of the surname Whiteshirt captures the cultural, occupational, and social transformations from the medieval era through modern history, showing how surnames evolve to reflect the life of their bearers and the times they lived in.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiteshirt

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

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

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

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