Surname Whitny - Meaning and Origin

Whitny: What does the surname Whitny mean?

The last name Whitny is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "witney", which is derived from the Old English word "hwit", meaning "white".

The Whitny surname can be found as far back as the 12th century in England. It is associated with locations in Shropshire and Oxfordshire, where the last name Whitny first appears on record in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The most prominent meaning associated with Whitny is the color white. The name Whitney suggests purity, purity of thought, and also innocence. It also can refer to the color light gray or a person who is fair-haired or fair-skinned. Being the color of snow and freshness, the name suggests a sense of cleanliness.

In a historical context, the name can be viewed as a reference to the clothing of characters in English coats of arms. Whitny is a surname associated with respectability and integrity, qualities associated with someone of good character and moral standing.

The last name Whitny is a strong reminder of a proud history and English heritage. It's indicative of a self-sufficient spirit and suggests a determined nature, perfect for overcoming obstacles life throws in your way.

Whitny: Where does the name Whitny come from?

The surname Whitny is an uncommon variant of the name Whitney. Currently, the primary areas to see the name Whitny are in the United States and United Kingdom.

In the United States, it is most common in the midwest, particularly in Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana. There, it makes up roughly 0.006% of the population. Whitny is especially popular in the state of Iowa, where it is the 4,211th most common surname.

In the United Kingdom, Whitny is strongest in Wiltshire and predominates around the cities of Swindon and Salisbury. Within the UK, Whitny ranks as the 8,775th most common surname.

When looking at the global scale, Whitny is estimated to have a population of around 3,000. The largest populations are, unsurprisingly, in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. A much smaller number of people with this surname can also be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia.

Overall, Whitny is an uncommon surname and has a fairly limited geographic range.

Variations of the surname Whitny

The variants of the surname Whitny include Whiteney, Whitney, Whittney, Whitty, and Whitny. All of these surnames have the same origin.

Whitney is the first and most common variant of the surname Whitny. It is an English toponymic name derived from "Whitney," a parish in the county of Herefordshire. It is likely derived from the Old English words hwit meaning "white" and leg meaning "meadow." A similar spelling, Whiteney, is also used, although it is much less common.

Whittney is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Fiodhnaithe, which is derived from the Gaelic root fiodh meaning "wood." The surname was originally used to designate a person from a place which held a certain amount of woodland, such as County Meath in Ireland.

Whitty is another variant of Whitny and is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Féithlí. It is derived from the Gaelic word féith meaning "angry." The surname was originally used to refer to someone who had a reputation for being easily angered.

Finally, Whitny is the original spelling of the surname, used to denote its English origin. It is derived from the place name Whitney, which is likely derived from the Old English words hwit, meaning "white," and leg meaning "meadow."

Famous people with the name Whitny

• Whitney Bischof: American former collegiate basketball player and coach
• Whitney Houston: American singer, actress, producer, and model
• Whitney Simpson: American reality television personality
• Whitney Carson: American professional ballroom dancer
• Whitney Wolfe Herd: American entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Bumble
• Whitney Way Thore: American television personality
• Whitney Ashact: American musician
• Whitney Port: American television personality, fashion designer
• Whitney Dean: English actress
• Whitney Engen: American soccer player

Other surnames

Whitney