Surname Whitebread - Meaning and Origin
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Whitebread: What does the surname Whitebread mean?
The last name Whitebread is an English surname derived from the Medieval English name Whitbred. It’s believed to have first appeared in the early 13th century and likely originates from a person or people who worked in the baking industry. The name Whitebread may have been given to someone involved in the baking of white bread as an occupational name. Such names, as well as names that described a person’s facial features or a habit, were relatively common in the Medieval and Early Modern periods.
Whitebread is thought to have been an uncommon surname and concentrated in East Anglia, particularly in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. Records date back to 16th century when one of the earliest records of the name is of Edmund Whitebred who was married Ellen Urry at St. Matthew’s Church in Friday Street, London in 1571.
The surname Whitebread can also be spelt in various ways, such as Whitbread and Whittaber, and there are several variants of the name which include Whitlock, Whitelock and Whitelocke. For some, the name may have even been adopted without having a professional connection, but may have been given to someone with white or fair hair. Whatever the origins, it is an interesting name and a reminder of a time when people were often identified by their occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisWhitebread: Where does the name Whitebread come from?
The last name Whitebread is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in the English Midlands and Yorkshire. It is also found in North America, Australia, and some other countries.
The name Whitebread is an English and Scottish surname of occupational origin. It is derived from a nickname for a baker or baker's apprentice, with the addition of the Old English word bread, meaning "loaf of bread.”
The earliest records of the surname Whitebread date back to the 14th Century, in Yorkshire, England. The name is also abundant in records throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, Whitebread is most frequently found in England, especially in regions such as Leicester, where it is the 18th most common surname. Elsewhere in the UK it is less common, but still found in Yorkshire, the Midlands, Cheshire, and North Wales.
In the United States, Whitebread is particularly common in Pennsylvania, specifically in Philadelphia, Delaware, and Bucks counties. It is also found in California, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota. Whitebread is also common in Canada, with the highest concentrations in Ontario and Alberta.
Overall, Whitebread is a fairly common name today in many English-speaking countries, with the most frequent concentrations found in the United Kingdom and North America, particularly in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Whitebread
The surname Whitebread has several variations in spelling, orthography, and surname. Whitebread can be spelled Whitbread, Whitbred, Wytebread, Whytbred and Whitbreat, among other variations.These variations are also found in variants of the surname such as; Whitbreads, Wheytbread, Whitebreath, Whitbreeds, Whitbreathes, Whitbreads, Whytbreeds and Wytebreeds.
The surname Whitbread is derived from one of two different origins. The first origin is derived from the old English compound transliterated as “Hwit” which means “white” and “bread” which means “bread”. Therefore, the Whitebread surname was originally describing a baker who made bread that was not tanned or discolored.
The second origin is derived from a nickname given to a person who routinely wore white. This was common when people dressed for particular occupations and were wearing white. It is likely that the nickname became associated with anyone who earned a living through baking white bread.
The surname Whitebread is associated with several different and diverse spellings, variations, and surnames which have branched from the compound origin of the surname. These include Whitbreads, Wheytbread, Whitebreath, Whitbreeds, Whitbreathes, Whitbreads, Whytbreeds, Wytebreeds, and Whitbreat. Depending on the spelling, the origins of the surname can be derived from both an occupational status and a nickname.
Famous people with the name Whitebread
- Ruth Whitebread: Canadian politician, Leader of the Reform Party of Canada in 1997.
- Linda Whitebread: Australian singer, songwriter, and actress.
- John Whitebread: U.S. Representative from California, 1891-1893.
- Carter Whitebread: American actor, best known for his roles in albums such as “The Spongebob Movie: Sponge out of Water” and “The Goldbergs”.
- Rosemary Whitebread: British artist, founder of ‘heart-core’, a UK-based art and media group.
- John Whitebread: English cricket player, who played for Derbyshire County Cricket Club in the early 19th century.
- Grant Whitebread: Canadian entrepreneur, founder of food delivery company ‘Fresh Food Corner’.
- Cathy Whitebread: American artist, creator of ‘Go See DC’, an interactive art installation.
- Tyler Whitebread: former American football player, who played for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.
- Chris Whitebread: Australian rugby union player, part of the Australian u19 squad.