WHITAKER

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Whitaker

Whitaker is an English surname with origins dating back to the medieval era. The name is of occupational origin, deriving from the Old English words 'hwit', meaning white, and 'acers', referring to someone who dwelled at or worked on a white or wheat field.

The surname Whitaker is primarily found in Northern England, particularly in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is most commonly recorded in areas where agriculture played a significant role in the local economy.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Whitaker include the esteemed British actress and Academy Award winner, Forest Whitaker, as well as other prominent figures in various fields.

The Whitaker family name continues to be prevalent in the United Kingdom and beyond, symbolising a connection to an agricultural past and a heritage of hard work and resilience.

There are approximately 10,757 people named Whitaker in the UK. That makes it the 856th most common surname in Britain. Around 165 in a million people in Britain are named Whitaker.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
David
James
John
Mark
Michael
Paul
Peter
Richard
Robert

Female

Anne
Catherine
Christine
Elizabeth
Emma
Helen
Joanne
Margaret
Mary
Sarah
Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.