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

Whitlatch, 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 Whitlatch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitlatch in America

Whitlatch is the 17709th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitlatch surname appeared 1,584 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Whitlatch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitlatch 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 Whitlatch

The surname Whitlatch finds its origins in the United Kingdom, specifically within the regions that comprise modern-day England. Emerging during the medieval period, the name is deeply rooted in the Anglo-Saxon tradition. The name is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a specific place where the original bearers of the surname resided.

The etymology of Whitlatch can be broken down into two elements: "whit," meaning "white," and "latch," which is derived from the Old English word "læċċe," meaning "bog" or "marsh." Hence, the surname likely referred to an individual or family residing near a white bog or marshy area. Toponymic in nature, the surname shares similarities with other geographically descriptive names that became hereditary during the medieval era.

Historical records from the mid-13th century provide us with the earliest instances of the surname. The Whitlatch name appears in various medieval manuscripts and land records, denoting individuals who held lands or had legal disputes over properties in England. The surname is notably absent from the Domesday Book of 1086 but subsequently surfaces in tax records and charters by the 1300s.

One of the earliest documented individuals bearing the surname was Thomas Whitlatch, who lived in Lancashire during the late 14th century. In additional records, a John Whitlatch is noted in local manorial documents from Kent in the year 1425. These instances suggest the surname had established itself by the 15th century, being associated with multiple regions across England.

William Whitlatch, a notable landowner in Sussex during the late 16th century, is another prominent historical bearer of the surname. Born in 1562, William significantly expanded his family's estates through a series of strategic marriages and land acquisitions before his death in 1621. His legacy provides further insight into the social and economic mobility of families bearing the Whitlatch surname during the early modern period.

In the 17th century, the name also spread to the American colonies, with John Whitlatch emigrating from England to Virginia in 1643. He became one of the early settlers and played a part in the initial establishment and governance of his community. His descendants continued to reside in the region, contributing to the growth and development of the early American colonies.

By the 18th century, Robert Whitlatch, born in 1711, emerges as another significant figure. His contributions were largely in the field of local governance, serving as a magistrate in Hampshire. His role in settling disputes and overseeing local administrative matters underlines the evolving influence and presence of the Whitlatch surname within English society.

Mary Whitlatch, born in 1780, is another key individual whose activities were well documented. She became renowned for her philanthropic endeavors in Yorkshire, establishing charitable foundations and schools for underprivileged children. Her death in 1845 marked the conclusion of a life dedicated to social welfare activities, further cementing the Whitlatch name within the annals of social history.

Overall, the surname Whitlatch has a rich and varied history, extending from medieval England to the early American colonies. The name's origins in geographic descriptors reflect a common practice of the period, with figures bearing the surname participating actively in their societies across centuries. From local landowners to philanthropists, these historical figures enhance our understanding of the name's longstanding presence and influence.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitlatch

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

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

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

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