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

Witherow, 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 Witherow surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Witherow in America

Witherow is the 18018th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Witherow surname appeared 1,549 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 Witherow.

We can also compare 2010 data for Witherow 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 Witherow

The surname Witherow likely hails from Great Britain, with origins dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to be of English, and possibly Scottish, origin, tracing its roots to specific regions characterized by similar surnames and settlement patterns. The name Witherow may be derived from the Old English words "wīðer" meaning "against" and "rāw" meaning "row" or "bank," suggesting it could have originally been a topographical surname given to someone living by a particular row of houses or a distinctive piece of land.

Early records of the surname Witherow or its variations can be found in historical documents. Manuscripts from the medieval period often recorded individuals by their distinguishing geographical or occupational names, leading to the establishment of many surnames we recognize today. Although the Domesday Book of 1086 does not specifically mention Witherow, it does provide a crucial glimpse into the naming conventions and regional distributions of that era, illustrating how surnames began to solidify during the Norman conquest.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name includes Robert de Wyther, documented in English records in the late 13th century, around 1275. Over time, the spelling evolved, and by the 15th century, the name appeared as Witherow in various regions. Records from this period often vary in spelling due to the phonetic representation of names by scribes who wrote them as they sounded.

In Scotland, a notable individual bearing the surname is Patrick Witherow, born in 1690, who served as a prominent figure in his local community. His descendants spread to other regions, further establishing the name’s presence. Another documented individual is John Witherow, who was born in 1722 and emigrated to America in the mid-18th century, contributing to the spread of the surname in the New World.

In Ireland, the name appears with James Witherow, a significant agricultural figure in County Donegal during the early 18th century. His contributions to local farming practices were well-documented, and his descendants maintained the name’s legacy in the area.

Another prominent figure, Thomas Witherow, born in 1824, was a notable Presbyterian minister and church historian in Northern Ireland. His writings and scholarly contributions to religious studies in the 19th century were influential and preserved his name in academic and ecclesiastical circles.

Further historical references include William Witherow, a landowner in early 19th-century Scotland, known for his involvement in agricultural development and societal contributions. His estate records provide invaluable insights into the life and activities of the Witherow family during this period.

The surname Witherow, with its deep-rooted historical significance and geographical spread, provides a fascinating glimpse into the medieval world's social and occupational structures. Its evolution over centuries and the bearing of notable individuals throughout history highlight the rich tapestry of this enduring surname.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Witherow

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

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

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

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