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

Whitner, 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 Whitner surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitner in America

Whitner is the 19145th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitner surname appeared 1,419 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 Whitner.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitner 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 Whitner

The surname Whitner has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from a place name. The name likely originates from areas in England where "whit" or "wite" were common prefixes in place names, signifying an association with the color white. This often referred to white geological features such as chalky cliffs or fields of white flowers.

The earliest form of Whitner can be traced back to Old English, from the words "hwita," meaning white, and "aern," meaning house or building. It could also derive from "wit" meaning broad, combined with "aern." These elements signify locales distinguished by their white stone structures or broad geographic features. The surname may have evolved in regions where such terms were prevalent, such as the southern and eastern parts of England.

Historical records referencing the name include parish registers, land deeds, and legal documents. Notably, the name appears in medieval discourses around the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the earliest documented instances is a reference to a John Whitner in a Kentish register from 1296.

One historical figure bearing this name is William Whitner (1603-1675), a landholder in Sussex whose dealings were noted in a series of land transactions and wills. Another significant bearer is Robert Whitner (1611-1682), recorded as a juror in several court cases in Gloucestershire, indicating the family's involvement in civic duties.

Moving forward through history, Elizabeth Whitner (1734-1802) of Birmingham is found in archival records for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her patronage of local schools and orphanages. In the 18th century, another notable individual is Charles Whitner (1765-1827), a tradesman who established a successful cloth weaving business in Manchester, contributing to the area's burgeoning industrial economy.

Lastly, in the early 19th century, Thomas Whitner (1784-1862) became known as an early migrant to America, settling in Pennsylvania. His descendants would continue to carry the name in various public and private endeavors.

Through the centuries, the surname Whitner has been borne by individuals involved in various trades and civic roles, their legacy documented in a multitude of historical records. Though the spelling and usage of the surname have slightly altered over the years, the identity tied to the name remains firmly rooted in its English origins.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitner

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

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

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

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