Surname Whisenhant - Meaning and Origin

Whisenhant: What does the surname Whisenhant mean?

The last name Whisenhant is a variation of the Scottish-Gaelic surname, Whitson. It is derived from a personal name thought to be derived from the Old English ‘hwita’ which means ‘white’. During the Middle Ages, this name was also used by people of Scandinavian descent and Norman-French origin.

It is believed that the first use of the Whisenhant name in the British Isles dates back to around the 12th century. During this time, the name would have referred to a person of Scandinavian or Norman-French origin who had lighter skin and hair which made them stand out among the local population.

The use of the last name Whisenhant essentially spread from Scotland to the rest of the British Isles after the Norman Conquest of 1066. This was due to the fact that the Normans and their associates often married into leading Scottish families and adopted names from the same Old English language pool.

Today, this name is believed to be found mostly in areas of England such as Lancashire, Yorkshire and East Anglia. Much like other old Scottish names, Whisenhant has undergone many different spellings over the centuries. Variations of the name include Whitworth, Whitson, Thinkall, Whiston and Whiggisham.

Whisenhant: Where does the name Whisenhant come from?

The last name Whisenhant is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the East and South. According to records from the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 900 people with the last name Whisenhant living in the United States as of 2018.

Within the United States, Whisenhant is most frequently recorded in Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. In Arkansas, in particular, over 200 individuals with this last name were recorded in the 2018 census.

In addition, there were small amounts of the last name Whisenhant found in other countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. In England, there were approximately 20 people with the name recorded in the 2018 census.

Overall, the last name Whisenhant is relatively uncommon but still detectable in various parts of the United States and the United Kingdom. Whether its origin is English, German, Dutch, or Irish, this unusual last name has been passed down for generations in both countries.

Variations of the surname Whisenhant

Whisenhant is a surname of Anglo-Saxon and German origins which can be spelled several different ways. Variant spellings of Whisenhant include Whisenhunt, Wisinhunt, Wisinhant, Wisinhaunte, Wechsenhun, Wisenhaunte, and Whissenholt. Surnames of similar origin and pronunciation may include Whisenhunt, Wisinhunt, Wisinhaunte, Wisenhaunte, and Wiesenhalter.

The Whisenhant origin can be traced back to early settlers from Germany and the Anglo-Saxon region of England. In Old English, the root of this name is wicines, which means 'hound' or 'hunter' and hant which translates to 'corn corner'. Combined, the name is thought to be in reference to 'the hunter of the corn corner'.

Other variations of the spelling have been documented, such as Whisenhunt, Wisinhunt, Wisinhaunte, Wisenhaunte, and Wiesenhalter. These variants are believed to be associated with the same origin which, when combined, translate to 'the hunter of the corn corner'.

It is difficult to trace the exact ancestor and migration path of the different spellings and surnames of this origin since the spelling has changed over time, making it difficult to identify the exact country or people group the surname originates from. Despite the lack of information, the Whisenhant spelling has been documented in historical records since the early 17th century.

Famous people with the name Whisenhant

• Rob Whisenhant: A professional body builder and fitness trainer who has won the titles of Mr. USA, Hercules and Shredder.
• Harry Whisenhant: A professional golfer who competed on the PGA Tour from 1972 to 1986.
• Dennis Whisenhant: An American writer, editor, screenwriter and director, best known for his adaptation of the novel Moby-Dick.
• James Whisenhant: An American cinematographer best known for his work on the film The Rules of Attraction.
• Robert Whisenhant: A professional basketball player who spent two seasons in the NBA playing for the Seattle SuperSonics in the mid to late 1970's.
• Billy Whisenhant: An American tournament blackjack player who is considered one of the greatest tournament blackjack players of all time.
• Mark Whisenhant: An Australian photographer who specializes in helping couples capture precious memories of their wedding day.
• P. J. Whisenhant: A former American football player who was a wide receiver in the NFL, playing for the Detroit Lions in the late 1980’s.
• Jan Whisenhant: An experimental filmmaker and photographer, best known for his work in the 1980s.
• Martha Whisenhant: An American mechanical engineer and lecturer, best known for her work in the areas of computer-aided design and heat transfer.

Other surnames

Whisenhunt