WHITMAN
Whitman is a surname of English origin, named after the Old English elements hwit meaning “white” and mann meaning “man”. It was employed in the Anglo‑Saxon period to describe a person with a fair or light complexion, often as a nickname for someone with white hair.
The name is therefore a descriptive or occupational surname, applied to individuals who possessed unusually pale features or who were associated with such characteristics. Some early records suggest that the nickname may have applied to an elder with grey or white hair, a trait that distinguished him among his peers.
Documentation of the surname dates back to the early twelfth century. The name first appears in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1230, where it is recorded as Witman under the reign of King Henry Iele‑above‑broke‑? (1216‑1272). Subsequent medieval documents include a 1635 departure from London of Robert Whiteman aboard the ship Abigall bound for Virginia, and a 1695 marriage record of Christopher Whittman in London Wall.
Variations of the surname are plentiful, reflecting changes in spelling over the centuries. Common forms include Whiteman, Whyteman, Wittman, Whittmann, Whittman, Witmon, and Whitmon. Further derivatives, by way of phonetic evolution or regional dialect, give rise to surnames such as Whittleman, Whitleman, Weeklyman, Whitewoman, and even Whittington, which may trace their roots to the ancient name Witta meaning “brave”.
While the surname originated in England, it spread to the British Isles and, with the advent of emigration, to the New World. In contemporary times, Whitman is most frequently encountered in the United States, particularly in the New England region where early colonists settled. It is also found, though in lesser concentrations, in Canada, Australia, and various parts of the United Kingdom. Presently, it is ranked as the six‑hundred‑third most common surname in the United States, a testament to the enduring legacy of early settlers such as Isaac Whitman, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630.
Throughout history, bearers of the Whitman name have been credited with qualities of civic duty, dignity, and responsibility. The surname’s affiliation with fair features and its early use in clerical contexts—such as the management of parish finances—highlight a recurring association with integrity and service. As the name continues to appear across English‑speaking societies, it remains a marker of heritage and a reminder of the pioneering spirit of those who carried it across oceans in pursuit of a new life.
Typical given names associated with the Whitman surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stuart
- William
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Frances
- Helen
- Jackie
- Jane
- Janet
- Karen
- Margaret
- Sally
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Whitman in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 1,030 people named Whitman in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,201st most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Whitman.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Whitman
- Mae Whitman - American actress
- Walt Whitman - American poet, essayist and journalist (1819 to 1892)
- Charles Whitman - American mass murderer and spree killer; perpetrator of the University of Texas Tower shooting (1941 to 1966)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.