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

Whitmarsh, 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 Whitmarsh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitmarsh in America

Whitmarsh is the 20739th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitmarsh surname appeared 1,275 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 Whitmarsh.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitmarsh 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 Whitmarsh

The surname Whitmarsh has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is generally categorized as a topographical surname, indicating a person's location or the nature of the land where they lived. The name Whitmarsh derives from the Old English words "hwit," meaning "white," and "mersc," meaning "marsh." Thus, it essentially refers to someone who lived by or near a white marsh, which could indicate the presence of distinctive pale vegetation or perhaps chalky soil.

Historical records indicate that the surname Whitmarsh appeared in various forms throughout the centuries, including Wytemersch and Whitemarsh. It is likely that the name was relatively widespread in regions with flat, marshy landscapes, such as the fenlands of East Anglia or other wetland regions in Somerset and Sussex. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, does not specifically mention the name Whitmarsh, but it does record numerous individuals with similar topographical names, suggesting that such surnames were in common use by that time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname in its more modern form is found in the 14th century. In a tax record dated 1377, a John Whitmarsh is listed in the county of Wiltshire, indicating the presence of the name in this region during the late Middle Ages. This area was known for its marshy lands, aligning with the etymology of the surname.

Additionally, the name underwent various spellings through its history before stabilizing in its current form. For example, a parish record from 1582 mentions a Thomas Whitemarsh of Sussex. By the 17th century, the form Whitmarsh became more standardized, as evidenced by documents of the period.

Notable individuals with the surname Whitmarsh include John Whitmarsh, born in 1594, who was an early settler in the American colonies and part of the group that established the Plymouth Colony. He died in 1674, and his descendants carried the name through the generations in the New World. Another significant figure is Martin Whitmarsh, born in 1958, who was the CEO of the McLaren Group, a prominent company in Formula One racing, highlighting the name’s modern relevance.

Other historical figures include Reverend William Whitmarsh, born in 1634, who was a well-known clergyman in Hampshire, and Edward Whitmarsh, a distinguished landowner in Gloucestershire mentioned in records from 1723. Finally, the name is also associated with Leonard Whitmarsh, an influential 19th-century author who wrote extensively about the natural history of the marshlands in England, showcasing the connection between the surname and its environmental roots. Leonard Whitmarsh was born in 1836 and passed away in 1902, leaving behind a significant literary legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitmarsh

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

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

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

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