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

Whiteside, 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 Whiteside surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whiteside in America

Whiteside is the 3191st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whiteside surname appeared 11,334 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 4 people would have the surname Whiteside.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whiteside 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 Whiteside

The surname Whiteside has its origins in the northern regions of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It emerged during the medieval period, likely in the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "side," referring to a hillside or slope. This suggests that the name initially described someone who lived near a prominent white hillside or slope, distinguishing them from their neighbors.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a certain William Whytesyde is mentioned. This historical document provides valuable insight into the early use and spelling variations of the name.

In the 15th century, the Whiteside surname can be found in various Lancashire records, including the Lancashire Wills of 1548, which mentions a John Whiteside. The name's presence in these records indicates its widespread use and establishment in the region during that time period.

A notable bearer of the Whiteside name was Robert Whiteside, born in 1617 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community. Another notable figure was William Whiteside, born in 1738 in Lancashire, who served as a respected magistrate and was known for his commitment to justice and fairness.

The Whiteside surname also made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances in America was John Whiteside, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1635 from England. He went on to establish a successful farm and became a respected member of the local community.

In the 18th century, the Whiteside name gained prominence in Ireland, where it was particularly prevalent in County Antrim. A notable figure from this period was James Whiteside, born in 1804 in County Antrim. He was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1866 to 1876.

Another noteworthy individual was Robert Whiteside, born in 1830 in County Antrim. He was a renowned scientist and inventor who made significant contributions to the field of electricity and telecommunications. His work paved the way for the development of modern communication systems.

Throughout its history, the Whiteside surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including farming, trade, law, politics, and science. Its origins and journey across different regions reflect the rich tapestry of history and cultural exchange that has shaped many surnames over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whiteside

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

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

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

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