Surname Whitsett - Meaning and Origin

Whitsett: What does the surname Whitsett mean?

The last name Whitsett originates from the combination of two Old English words - “hwit” and “set”. The meaning behind “hwit” is “white”, while “set” is the word for “dwelling.” The combination of these two words has been used to create the surname Whitsett, which is generally understood to mean a “white dwelling” or a “white residence.”

The first known mention of the surname Whitsett dates back to the 12th century in England. At this time, the surname wasn’t particularly common, however, it did appear in a handful of records at the time. As the years went by, the name slowly spread to other parts of the country, particularly to the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham.

Today, the surname Whitsett is generally seen as an occupational name, referring to someone who worked in a “white dwelling” or residence. It could also have been another way of referring to those who favored wearing light-colored clothing in comparison to the majority of the population.

The modern spelling of the name Whitsett is often seen as “Whitsett,” “Whitset,” or “Whitsit.” The popularity of the surname in certain areas of England vary, however, it is a relatively common surname in the United States.

Whitsett: Where does the name Whitsett come from?

The last name Whitsett is most commonly associated with the United States today. It is especially prevalent in the south and mid-west regions of the country, with majority of those bearers coming from Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

The name is likely of Contenential European origin, derived from the Old French white + sett, meaning "settlement or habitation". The family, and more specifically its various branches, likely found their way to the US during the 1700s and early 1800s as Commonwealth settlers migrating in search of a better life in the new world.

It is also likely that some family members were among the many African Americans that migrated into these same states during the years of the Great Migration (1910-1940).

While no exact statistics for the population of Whitsetts exist, it is estimated that there are around 12,000 individuals within the United States that bear the name. Additionally, in recent years, there have been small pockets of Whitsetts found in other countries becoming more prominent, such as Canada, Mexico, and even parts of South America.

Variations of the surname Whitsett

The most common variants, spellings, and surnames of Whitsett are Whitest, Whitehead, Whitestreet, Whitley, and Whitsell. Common Anglicized forms of the name are Whitsit, Whitseat, and Whitby.

The Whitsett surname has its roots in northern England and is derived from the Anglo Saxon words “hwit,” meaning white, and “sete,” meaning seat. It is believed to be an occupational name for someone who lived near a white seat or a stone that was used as a meeting place.

In addition to the various spellings of Whitsett, variant spellings also include Whitsed, Witsey, Wittsay, Witsit, Witsitt, Wittey and Witsed.

Early variations of the Whitsett name are found in the records of Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Yorkshire and Lancashire, England. In 1891, the most common variation of the Whitsett surname was Whitest, which was recorded in more than ten counties in England.

The Whitsett surname can also be found in the records of Ireland. It is believed to be of Scottish origin and was most likely adopted by Irish immigrants. The most common variant spelling in Ireland is Whitstey.

Surnames related to the Whitsett name include Whitest, Whithead, Whitestreet, Whitley, Whitsell, Whitsit, Whitseat, and Whitby. They are all derived from the same Anglo Saxon root words and signify one who lived near a white seat or a meeting place.

Famous people with the name Whitsett

• John Whitsett Jr.: a former American football offensive tackle in the NFL
• Larry Whitsett: a former college, United States Olympic, and professional basketball player
• LaQuinton Whitsett: an American professional basketball player
• Johnathon Whitsett: a former professional American football player
• Andrew Whitsett: an American downhill mountain bike racer
• Kristopher Whitsett: an American long jumper
• Shelley Whitsett: a professional golfer
• Chad Whitsett: former adjunct professor at Abilene Christian University
• Willie Whitsett: a former professional American football running back
• Randolph Whitsett: a physical education professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio

Other surnames

Whitsell