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

Whitsitt, 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 Whitsitt surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whitsitt in America

Whitsitt is the 25902nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whitsitt surname appeared 949 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 Whitsitt.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whitsitt 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 Whitsitt

The surname Whitsitt has its origins in England, with historical records suggesting it emerged during the medieval period, around the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from a locational name, pointing to someone who hailed from a place called Whiteside, Whitesett, or something similar. The name itself likely signifies a geographical feature, combining the Old English elements "hwit," meaning "white," and "sid" or "set," meaning "site" or "dwelling." This etymology implies that the original bearers of the surname lived near a notable white geographical feature, such as a chalky hillside or a uniquely light-colored settlement.

The earliest recorded example of a surname resembling Whitsitt can be found in various English parish records and legal documents dating back to the 14th century. Noteworthy spellings of the surname in historical manuscripts include Whiteside, Whitsed, and Whitsitt. While the Domesday Book, completed in 1086, does not explicitly mention the surname, it does reference several areas with names that could linguistically lend themselves to the evolution of Whitsitt.

One of the earliest well-documented individuals to bear the Whitsitt name was John Whitsitt, born around 1405. John was known to be a landowner in the vicinity of Yorkshire, holding several acres of agricultural land. Another notable figure, Thomas Whitsitt, was recorded in the mid-16th century and served as a minor local official in Gloucestershire. Thomas, born in 1532 and lived until 1598, played a role in local governance and is mentioned in various county records of that era.

Jane Whitsitt, born in 1602, was a prominent figure in the early 17th century as a merchant's wife in Bristol. Her business acumen and social connections are documented in several letters and trade records from that period. William Whitsitt, a clergyman born in 1675, was well-known for his religious contributions in Lincolnshire. His sermons and religious texts were circulated among the parishioners, marking his influence on the local community.

Lastly, in the 19th century, Philip Whitsitt emerged as a notable academic figure. Philip, born in 1811, gained recognition for his scholarly works in English history and philology. His research contributed significantly to the understanding of medieval surnames, making him a distinguished personality in onomastic studies.

Throughout history, the surname Whitsitt has been borne by individuals contributing to various facets of society, from landownership and governance to commerce and academia. The spelling and pronunciation of the name have seen minor variations, yet its roots trace back to elements of Old English, reflective of the landscape and lifestyle of medieval England. These historical figures, along with the geographic and linguistic origins of the surname, paint a rich tapestry of the Whitsitt lineage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whitsitt

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

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

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

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