Surname McWhite - Meaning and Origin

McWhite: What does the surname McWhite mean?

The last name McWhite is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic ‘Mac an Bhruite’, which means ‘son of the white one’. It is one of the many clan names that developed during the Middle Ages as surnames became more common.

In the Middle Ages, clans and families in Scotland were identified by a unique surname often derived from a physical feature or an attribute of family members. The McWhite clan was no exception and the family likely earned their moniker due to the presence of fair-haired members.

The McWhite surname is often believed to have originated in the highlands of Scotland and those who bear it today are proud of their roots and heritage. McWhite families were at one time prolific landowners with their family estates spread across the county. These family lines have been well-documented and records can be traced back many centuries.

Today, the McWhite name is commonly associated with loyalty and strength of character, traits which have been passed down through the centuries. Many modern McWhites are involved in public service and have achieved much success in their careers.

The McWhite surname has been part of the history of Scotland for centuries and remains a prominent name even in the present day. It is a proud testament to the family's devotion to their homeland and a firm reminder of where they came from.

McWhite: Where does the name McWhite come from?

The last name McWhite is most commonly found in English-speaking countries with significant Irish ancestry. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada are generally the most frequent locations to find McWhite.

The United States is probably the most common place to find McWhite. Many Irish people who emigrated during the Great Famine of the 1840s and 1850s chose American cities as their destination. Thus, McWhite can be found primarily in those original areas where Irish immigrants settled, such as along the Eastern Seaboard from New York to Philadelphia. It can also be found in the American south, such as Georgia and Louisiana, where many Irish immigrants moved to work in the textile mills.

In the United Kingdom, the last name McWhite can be found in Northern England and Scotland; those were the original destinations of Irish immigrants who arrived in the late 1700s. In Scotland, the name can be found particularly in the eastern and central regions.

In Canada, McWhite is scattered throughout the country, but it is most common in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and other eastern coastal provinces. In western Canada, it is more common in Manitoba and Alberta.

Overall, the last name McWhite is most often found in countries with large Irish communities. But it can also be found scattered throughout many smaller countries and communities which were touched by Irish immigration.

Variations of the surname McWhite

The surname McWhite is a Gaelic patronymic surname originating from medieval Scotland. It derives from the Gaelic Mac an Fhiodhbhuidhe meaning "son of the dark one" or "son of the woodsman". The variants and spellings of McWhite surname include MacWhites, MacWhite, MacWhitt, MacWite, MacWhight, MacWyth, MacsWhitt, MacWhiot, MacWhiet, MacWheat, McWhiets, McWheights, McWheates and many more.

McWhite is also an anglicised form of two distinct surnames: Mac an Fhíodhbhuidhe in Irish Gaelic and Mac an Fhithich in Scots Gaelic. The Irish version translates as "son of the woodsman" or "descendant of the woodsman," while the Scots version translates as "son of the fay" or "descendant of the raven." The spelling McGregor is sometimes attached to the surname, meaning "son of the fierce one"; this is derived from the Hill McGregors of Galloway, Scotland.

The McWhite surname is also an anglicised version of the Gaelic Mac an Bhradáin meaning "son of the judge." As the meaning of this surname changed, so has the spelling; other variants include MacBradan, MacBraiden and MacBraidon.

The dictionary of American family names lists the following variants of the McWhite surname: MacWhaite, Wight, Whitehill, Whyte, Wightman, Whitmarsh, Whitmeyer, Whiteman, Whittaker, Whiter, Whitish, Whitey and Whitefield.

The McWhite surname is found world-wide, with the variants being used in Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, the United States and Australia.

Famous people with the name McWhite

• Christopher McWhite: English actor
• William McWhite: jazz musician
• Lawrence McWhite: actor and director
• Violet McWhite: singer
• Charlotte McWhite: British actress and writer
• Ryan McWhite: US Army veteran and actor
• Michael McWhite: American screenwriter
• Rachel McWhite: stand-up comedian
• Patrick McWhite: American football player
• Mikhail McWhite: Russian artist

Other surnames

McWhinneyMcWhirter