Surname Whittemore - Meaning and Origin
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Whittemore: What does the surname Whittemore mean?
The origin of the last name Whittemore is believed to be Anglo-Saxon. It is thought to be a locational name derived from the Old English words hwit, meaning ‘white’, and mor, meaning ‘moor’, or ‘marsh’. Thus the name literally translates to ‘a white moor’, or someone from a white marsh/swamp. It is a common English surname, most likely because it was a place name, and so many people eventually took this last name.
It is most prolific in England, but is found all over the English-speaking world. The Counties of Essex, Norfolk and Hertfordshire produced the highest numbers of Whittemores in the 19th and 20th centuries, although variants of the name, such as Whittimore, could be found in other counties such as Dorset, Somerset and London.
In the United States, the Whittemore family was instrumental in the establishment of a number of communities. In 1786, New Hampshire was home to the most prominent Whittemore family. Descendants of this family founded successful businesses and prospered in many of the nearby towns.
Today, there are many prominent individuals with the name Whittemore. There are three Whittemores currently serving in the US Congress, as well as several noted lawyers, business owners, professors, authors and athletes. The Whittemore family remains a powerful and impactful surname in numerous ways.
Order DNA origin analysisWhittemore: Where does the name Whittemore come from?
The last name Whittemore is common throughout the United States and Canada. In the US, it is most commonly seen in the states of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It is also found across the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
Originating from an English surname, Whittemore (also spelled Whittimore, Whitmore, and Witmore) is derived from Old English words meaning “White Moor”, which was used to describe a person of fair skin or white-skinned, even though they were not related to Moors or people from North Africa.
Currently, the population of people with the last name Whittemore is estimated to be around 28,400. This number is expected to increase in the coming years. Since it is a relatively distinctive last name, families that possess it often use it to proudly proclaim their familial identity and connection to its English heritage.
Variations of the surname Whittemore
The surname Whittemore has many variants and spellings. Variants and spellings may differ from country to country, but they are largely the same. In England variations include Whitmore, Whitamore, Whittimore, Whittemoor, and Whitmoor. In Scotland, some of the variations are Whittamore, Whitmoore, and Wightmoor. In Ireland, forms of the name include Wheatmore, Wheatmoor, and Whiteamore.
In the United States, some of the variations of the surname Whittemore include Wetmore, Whitmore, Whittimore, Whettemore, Whittingim, Whittoman, Whitten, Whetten, Whitty, and Whiteamore. In France, some of the variations are Withmore, Withmure, and Withemore. In Germany, some of the variations are Wheatmeyer, Whitemyer, and Witmeyer. In Italy, variations include Vittemore, Vittimore, and Vittimori.
Surnames of the same origin as Whittemore include Whitmore, Whitfield, White, and Whitehouse. All of these surnames are derived from the Old English words “hwit” meaning “white” and “mor” meaning “moorland” or “marsh”.
Variations of this surname were especially popular during the medieval period in England, when Whittemore was used as a status symbol for those of higher classes. Its popularity was also spread through colonization and immigration, and many of these variations can be found throughout the English-speaking world today.
Famous people with the name Whittemore
- Andy Whittemore: a British actor best known for his appearances in "EastEnders" and "My Family".
- Elbert E. Whittemore: a lawyer who served as a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice and Massachusetts Naval Militia Admiral.
- Frederick Whittemore: a United States Navy commodore of the latter 19th century who was noted for his service in the Spanish-American War.
- Joseph Whittemore: an American flutist, conductor, composer, and music teacher who served as the Professor of Music Theory at the New England Conservatory of Music from 1909–1941.
- Lizzie Whittemore: a British stage actress who made her Broadway debut in "Quincy's Leap" in 1903.
- Martha Whittemore: an American photographer from the early 20th century who is best known for her photographs from Arizona and New Mexico.
- Milo Whittemore: an American fiddle player best known for his association with Pete Seeger and the Almanac Singers.
- Sarah Whittemore: an American poet and teacher who was awarded the legion of merit for her service as an army officer during the Second World War.
- Sharon Whittemore: an American author and illustrator who has written several children's books, including the "Wild Bird Adventures" series.
- Stephen Whittemore: a 19th-century American seaman whose accounts of his voyage around the world from 1835–1838 proved highly popular.