Surname Whittaker - Meaning and Origin

Reframing Identity and Heritage: The Whittaker Lineage As Seen Through an iGENEA DNA Test

Undergoing an iGENEA DNA test was a journey of self-discovery for me. The revelation of my diverse genetic heritage and the compelling history behind my surname, Whittaker, profoundly shaped my narrowing understanding of personal identity.

M. Whittaker

Whittaker: What does the surname Whittaker mean?

The surname Whittaker comes from a generic occupational term applied to a person who “whittles” or carves wood. It is believed that the name first began to be used as a surname around the 12th century, when surnames first began to be used.

Whittaker literally means “the one who whittles”. Those who bore the name would have carved wood for a living, likely such items as barrels, farm implements, furniture, utensils, and toys.

The Whittaker surname has come to be associated with a number of countries, including England, Scotland, Germany, and the Netherlands. In England in particular, Whittaker tribes are known to have existed in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumbria.

The Whittaker surname is still found fairly often, especially in countries that have a strong Germanic and English history, like the United States. It is believed to be one of the most common English surnames in the United States, and has been recorded in public records since 1620.

The Whittaker name has become associated with those who are crafty and skilled in their work, and is a proud surname that many trace back to their English and Germanic ancestors.

Whittaker: Where does the name Whittaker come from?

The last name Whittaker is common in regions throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.

In Europe, the Whittaker surname is primarily concentrated in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it remains one of the top 250 most common surnames. The highest concentrations are found in the north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In addition, many Whittakers have also emigrated to continental Europe, with the surname most commonly found in Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and France.

In North America, the Whittaker name is mainly associated with the United States. Here it is ranked within the top 500 most common surnames, with the highest concentrations located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the country, such as Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Canada is also home to a large population of Whittakers, with the five provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia all containing notable numbers of the Whittaker surname.

Finally, in Australia, the Whittaker surname is among the top 300 most common. Its distribution is heavily concentrated in the Eastern states, particularly New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.

Overall, the Whittaker name is far from rare and is found in high concentrations in many regions around the world.

Variations of the surname Whittaker

The Whittaker surname has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants of the name include Widdecar, Whitacre, Whittiker, Wetaker, Whitiker, Whitaker, Widtocher, Wittocher, Whitiker, Whytacre, Wyttaker, Whytacre, Wickacre, Wightker, Weitaker, Whittacar, Wytacre, Wyttacar, and Wyterer.

The Whittaker surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, from the widespread Old English personal name of Wit or Wita, meaning “wide” or “widely famed”. The suffix Ecole was added, means "son of". Therefore, Whittaker literally means “son of Wide" or “son of Widely Famous”.

The variants of the name reflect various dialects of the Anglo-Saxon and Old English language. For instance, the Wyttaker variation may have been pronounced something similar to the modern pronunciation of “Whiteaker”, whereas the Wyterer suggests German or Dutch influence. In Scotland, the name can also be found spelled as Whitaker.

In the United States, it is a very common surname, and as with many English surnames, the origin can be found all over the world including England, Scotland, Ireland, and even Germany.

Despite the various variants and spellings of the Whittaker surname, people of this origin all share the same Anglo-Saxon origin. The commonalities in the various spellings mean that those with the surname can still be identified as having the same origin.

Famous people with the name Whittaker

• Mackenzie Whittaker: a Canadian singer and songwriter.
• Charles Reginald Whittaker: Australian journalist and radio panellist.
• Bill Whittaker: American journalist and correspondent for CBS News.
• Robert Whittaker: New Zealand-born Australian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion.
• David Whittaker: British classical composer and a highly prolific computer game musician.
• Pat Whittaker: English former professional footballer who played for four English Football League clubs.
• Rob Whittaker: British comedy writer, actor, and director.
• Stephanie Ann Whittaker: a British-born actress.
• Gordon Whittaker: American actor and voice over artist.
• Mark Whittaker: Australian rugby league footballer.
• Millie Whittaker: English actress who starred in the 20th season of the British television series Emmerdale.
• Connor Whittaker: English professional footballer who plays for Charlton Athletic.
• Grady Whittaker: Canadian professional hockey player.
• Jessie Whittaker: British animation artist known for works such as The Amazing World of Gumball and Kinmoza!
• William Whittaker: English poet and a recipient of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction.
• William Alexander Whittaker: Former British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Hereford and Herefordshire South between 1983 and 1992.
• Sasha Whittaker: American actress, best known for her role as Yara Greyjoy in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
• Steve Whittaker: English guitarist and member of pop rock band Take That in the 1990s.
• Peggy Whittaker: English actress who starred in the British comedy-drama series Goodnight Sweetheart.
• Arnold Whittaker: British historian, best known for his work on historical geography and English language.

Other surnames

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