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

Whittlesey, 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 Whittlesey surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Whittlesey in America

Whittlesey is the 24554th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Whittlesey surname appeared 1,018 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 Whittlesey.

We can also compare 2010 data for Whittlesey 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 Whittlesey

The surname Whittlesey originates from England, specifically the region of Cambridgeshire. The name is derived from the place name Whittlesey, a town in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire. The town's name has historical roots and originates from the Old English words "Hwita," a personal name, and "eg," meaning "island" or "river meadow." This indicates that Whittlesey was likely named after a person named Hwita who lived in or owned the land.

The earliest recorded references to the name Whittlesey appear in medieval documents, with the town itself being mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Witesie." Over time, this evolved into the modern spelling, Whittlesey. Historical records show that the name has been consistently used since at least the 12th century, indicating a long-standing presence in the region.

One of the earliest individuals bearing the surname Whittlesey is John de Whittlesey, who appears in records from 1327 in Cambridgeshire. His presence highlights the linkage between the land and the family name, with "de" denoting "of" Whittlesey, signifying a connection to the place.

Reverend Joseph Whittlesey (1695–1761) is another notable bearer of the surname. He served as a prominent Congregationalist minister in New Haven, Connecticut, after emigrating from England to America. His contributions to religious life in the colonies were significant during the 18th century.

Sarah Whittlesey (1824–1896), an American poet and novelist, added literary prominence to the Whittlesey name. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she published numerous works, including poetry and novels that were well-received during her time.

Elisha Whittlesey (1783–1863) was a prominent US congressman and auditor from Ohio. His political career and public service were notable in the early 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on his community and state.

Charles Whittlesey (1884–1921) was an American soldier best known for his heroism during World War I. As the commander of the "Lost Battalion," his leadership and bravery became widely celebrated, marking an important chapter in military history.

Throughout history, the Whittlesey surname has maintained its strong connection to its geographical roots in Cambridgeshire while spreading across the Atlantic to find prominence in the United States. The name's evolution from "Witesie" to Whittlesey reflects the broader patterns of linguistic and orthographic transformation over centuries. The surname has been carried by individuals of significant cultural, religious, and political influence, ensuring its place in history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Whittlesey

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

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

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

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