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

Whittler, 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 Whittler surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whittler in America

Whittler is the 141140th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whittler surname appeared 118 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 Whittler.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whittler 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 Whittler

The surname Whittler originates from England, where it first emerged in the medieval period. It is believed to have evolved in the 13th century, primarily in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name is occupational in nature, deriving from the Old English word "whitlian," which means "to cut or to whittle work." This suggests that the name was initially adopted by individuals whose occupation involved crafting or carving wood.

The surname Whittler appears in various historical records and documents, often spelled in slightly different ways. An early mention of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire dated 1284, where a John le Whittler is recorded. This entry illustrates the profession-based origin of the name, indicating John was likely a craftsman skilled in whittling.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname in its more modern form appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1332, where a William Whittler is listed. The consistency of the surname in this context suggests it had already become hereditary by this period, passing from one generation to the next within the family.

Historical references to the name frequently appear in legal documents, church registers, and wills. A notable mention is found in a 1545 will of Thomas Whittler of York, who left bequests to his children, indicating the continuity and familial use of the surname during the Tudor period. This showcases the name's persistence and the role of the Whittler family in their local community.

Several prominent individuals from the 17th and 18th centuries bore the surname Whittler. One such person was George Whittler, born in 1610 in Lancashire, who became a well-respected carpenter and member of the local guild. Another significant figure was Elizabeth Whittler, who in 1715 became one of the few women recorded as a master whittler, carrying on the family trade in Yorkshire.

Between 1800 and 1850, the Whittler family saw continued prominence in England, with Edward Whittler (born 1785 and died 1843) making a name for himself as a talented woodcarver in London. His work was highly sought after and can be found in several historic buildings, churches, and estates.

Throughout history, the surname Whittler has maintained its association with the crafting and carving professions, reflecting the family's longstanding skills and contributions to their communities. This occupational surname remains a testament to the craftsmanship and artisanal heritage passed down through generations of the Whittler family.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whittler

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

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

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

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