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

Whitestone, 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 Whitestone surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitestone in America

Whitestone is the 76768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitestone surname appeared 250 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 Whitestone.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitestone 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 Whitestone

The surname Whitestone has its origins in England and can be traced back to the medieval period. It likely emerged from geographical features or landmarks, as was common with many English surnames. The name is derived from the Old English words "hwita" meaning "white" and "stan" meaning "stone." This suggests that the original bearers of the name lived near or were associated with a prominent white stone or rocky outcrop.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the surname Whitestone can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, though it appears there in its Old English form. The Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror, is a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales. The name evolved over the centuries, adopting the more modern English spelling.

A significant early recording of the surname is in the 12th century, with the individual Robert de Whitestone noted in various documents of this period. His name appears in association with property transactions in the county of Devon, indicating that the area could have played a role in the origin of the surname.

During the 14th century, a notable bearer of the surname was John Whitestone, who was documented in several legal proceedings of the time. His name appears in the court rolls of Hertfordshire, where he served as a juror and later as a minor local official. This suggests that by this time, the name had spread beyond its original location.

In the 16th century, the English navigator and privateer Thomas Whitestone gained some renown. He was born around 1540 and made multiple voyages to the New World, participating in early English attempts at exploration and colonization. Though not as famous as contemporaries like Sir Francis Drake, Whitestone's contributions were nonetheless significant in the era of maritime discovery.

Another historically significant figure was Reverend Samuel Whitestone, born in 1701, who became a prominent clergyman in the Church of England. He was known for his scholarly works and his active participation in the religious debates of his time. His writings were influential among his peers, and he served as the rector of a parish in Kent until his death in 1778.

In the 19th century, the Whitestone name continued to appear in various public records, with James Whitestone, born in 1825, becoming a well-regarded industrialist. He played a crucial role in the development of the railway system in northern England. His work contributed significantly to the industrialization of the region, and he was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education.

Throughout its history, the surname Whitestone has been associated with various regions within England, particularly Devon, Hertfordshire, and Kent. Its meaning, rooted in Old English, reflects a connection to the landscape and its geographical features. The evolution of its spelling over time mirrors the broader changes in the English language and the ways in which surnames developed and were recorded.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitestone

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

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

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

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