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

Willhite, 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 Willhite surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Willhite in America

Willhite is the 8805th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Willhite surname appeared 3,719 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Willhite.

We can also compare 2010 data for Willhite 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 Willhite

The surname Willhite has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon era of England, tracing back to the 11th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "will" and "hyth," where "will" meant "a willful or obstinate person" and "hyth" referred to a small port or landing place. This suggests that the name may have initially been a descriptive one, perhaps referring to a stubborn individual who lived or worked near a small harbor or dock.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Willhite surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Wilhite." This entry suggests that the name was already established in parts of England by the late 11th century. Over time, the spelling evolved into various forms, such as Willhight, Willhyght, and eventually Willhite.

During the Middle Ages, the Willhite family held lands and properties in various parts of England, particularly in the counties of Staffordshire and Warwickshire. A notable figure from this period was Sir John Willhite, a knight who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 under King Henry V.

In the 16th century, the Willhite family gained prominence in the city of York, where they were involved in the wool trade. One of the most prominent members was William Willhite (1520-1589), a successful merchant and alderman of York. His son, Thomas Willhite (1550-1621), followed in his footsteps and became a prominent figure in the city's civic affairs.

As the centuries passed, the Willhite name spread to other parts of the British Isles and eventually to the Americas during the colonial era. One notable figure from this period was Captain John Willhite (1675-1742), an English sea captain who was instrumental in the establishment of the British colony of Georgia.

In the 19th century, the Willhite family had a strong presence in the American South, particularly in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. One notable individual was Reverend Thomas Willhite (1810-1879), a Baptist minister and author who played a significant role in the religious life of the region.

Throughout history, the Willhite surname has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including military leaders, merchants, clergymen, and public figures. While the name may have evolved in spelling and pronunciation over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of England.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Willhite

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

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

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

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