WHITNEY
Whitney
Whitney is a distinguished surname of English origin, with historical roots dating back to the early Middle Ages. The name is a toponymic one, derived from various locations in England called Whitney, such as the village in Oxfordshire or places in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. These locations were named after Old English words meaning "white island" or "white water", reflecting the presence of chalk or white water in the area.
The Whitney surname has been recorded in various spellings over the centuries, including Witenie, Wyteneye, and Whiteneye, before settling on the modern variant. Notable bearers of the Whitney surname include Sir Thomas Whitney, a prominent figure in the 16th century, who held various high-ranking positions in the English court.
The name Whitney became especially prominent in America due to the Whitney family of Massachusetts, prominent in the 19th century. They were well-known for their contributions to industry, art, and philanthropy, with figures such as Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Overall, the surname Whitney holds a significant place in English and American history, reflecting the heritage of notable individuals and families associated with the name.
There are approximately 3,279 people named Whitney in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,767th most common surname in Britain. Around 50 in a million people in Britain are named Whitney.
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
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Andrea
- Barbara
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria