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

Whittingham, 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 Whittingham surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whittingham in America

Whittingham is the 23167th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whittingham surname appeared 1,101 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 Whittingham.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whittingham 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 Whittingham

The surname Whittingham has its roots in England and dates back to the medieval period. The name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the combination of the Old English personal name Hwita, meaning "white," and ham, meaning "homestead" or "village." This indicates that the name originally referred to a "homestead of Hwita's people."

The earliest references to Whittingham appear primarily in Northumberland and Lancashire. The name is closely associated with several villages, such as Whittingham near Alnwick in Northumberland and another Whittingham near Goosnargh in Lancashire. These locations provide clues to the geographical spread of families with this surname.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists a settlement called Hwitingham in Northumberland. The Domesday Book was commissioned by William the Conqueror to assess the landholdings in England and provides invaluable insight into place names and family names of that era.

By the 13th century, the surname had become more common. An example is Henry de Whittingham, who appears in the Lancashire Assize Rolls in 1246. The use of "de" suggests a strong connection to the village of Whittingham, indicating that surnames were often derived from one's place of origin or residence during this time.

During the late medieval period, the Whittingham name continued to gain prominence. Thomas Whittingham, born in 1450, became an influential figure and was recorded in various documents of the time. His contributions to local governance in Lancashire were well-known, making him a significant historical figure bearing the name.

Another notable individual is William Whittingham, born in 1524 and died in 1579. He was an English academic and a prominent Puritan clergyman. William Whittingham played a crucial role in the English Reformation and was instrumental in the Geneva Bible's translation, a widely read version of the Bible that influenced future English translations.

In the late 17th to early 18th centuries, Edward Whittingham served as an English clergyman and was noted for his passionate sermons and substantial charity work. His writings and philanthropic efforts left a lasting legacy in his community, further solidifying the historical presence of the Whittingham surname.

Another distinguished bearer of the surname was Sir Frank Whittingham, born in 1849 and who served as a British diplomat. His tenure in various embassies throughout Europe and the Middle East earned him recognition and numerous accolades, making him a prominent figure of his time.

The name Whittingham, steeped in ancient origin and rich historical references, exemplifies an enduring legacy. Its appearances in significant documents such as the Domesday Book and its association with influential figures across centuries highlight its importance in English history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whittingham

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

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

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

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