History and Significance of the Surname Whitten

The History of the Whitten Surname

The surname Whitten is of English origin, deriving from the Old English personal name "Hwita," which means "white." This name was likely given to someone with fair or light-colored hair or skin. The Whitten surname can be traced back to early medieval England, where it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

United States

In the United States, the Whitten surname is fairly common, with a total incidence of 19,556 individuals bearing this name. The surname likely spread to the US through early English immigrants, who brought their names and traditions with them to the New World. Today, there are Whitten families scattered across the country, with concentrations in states such as Texas, Alabama, and Maine.

Australia

In Australia, the Whitten surname is less common, with a total incidence of 1,439 individuals. However, there are still Whitten families found throughout the country, particularly in regions with historical ties to English settlement, such as Victoria and New South Wales.

Canada

Similar to Australia, the Whitten surname is not as prevalent in Canada, with a total incidence of 1,014 individuals. However, there are still Whitten families residing in various provinces, such as Ontario and Newfoundland, where English immigration has historically been significant.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the Whitten surname is most common in England, with an incidence of 646 individuals. There are also smaller numbers of Whittens in Northern Ireland (203), Scotland (102), and Wales (44), reflecting the historical distribution of the name across different regions of the UK.

Other Countries

Outside of the English-speaking world, the Whitten surname can be found in countries such as South Africa (211), New Zealand (157), Ireland (36), France (12), Germany (9), and Israel (5). There are also smaller numbers of Whittens in countries like China (5), Japan (4), and Thailand (3), demonstrating the global reach of this English surname.

Overall, the Whitten surname has a rich history and presence in various countries around the world. With its origins in medieval England, this name has spread far and wide, carried by English immigrants and their descendants to new lands and cultures. Today, the Whitten surname continues to be a reminder of the enduring connection between people and their ancestral roots.