Surname Whitton - Meaning and Origin
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Whitton: What does the surname Whitton mean?
The last name Whitton is of English origin. Its origins can be traced back to an area in the south-west of England, near the border of Wales. It is thought that the name was derived from the Old English words “wit” and “tun”. The combination of these two words translates to “white farm”, and it is believed that the Whitton family originally come from a place called “White Farm”.
The name is associated with a strong farming tradition, as it is often found in places that experienced agricultural development. Farming was once seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and the Whitton family symbolises this. The Whitton name is associated with English rural culture, and it can still be found today in many small and isolated farming villages.
The Whitton name is also associated with a sense of strength and resilience. The family often faced hardships and struggles, but they overcame them through their determination and strong work ethic. The name Whitton has become synonymous with strong will and determination.
Today, the Whitton name is still prevalent in many parts of the world, with dozens of outdated spellings and variations, such as Whiting, Whitham and Whitin. It is a testament to the power and resilience of the Whitton family throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWhitton: Where does the name Whitton come from?
Today, the last name Whitton is most common in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., the highest concentration can be found in the states of California, Texas, and Florida. According to the U.S. Census of 2020, the name Whitton ranks #7353 in the country with an estimated 1,500 people nationwide sharing this last name.
In England, Whitton is a relatively rare surname, though it is still present in various parts of the country. According to the U.K. census of 2018, the last name of Whitton was the 12,425th most common surname in the region with 316 individuals sharing the last name. The name is most common throughout the West Midlands region, but can also be found in parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, an Cheshire.
Origin wise, Whitton first emerged in the mid-14th and 15th centuries. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English words, ‘hwit’ (white) and ‘tun’ (town/village). Consequently, Whitton roughly translates to ‘white village.’ The first record of the name was discovered in northern East Anglia in 1366.
Variations of the surname Whitton
The surname Whitton is thought to be of either English or Irish origin. In English, the variants of the surname include Whiddon, Whiddene, Whitton, Whittin, Whiddin, Whiddines, Whittons, and Whiddons. In Irish, the variants of the surname include O hUidhín, O Whitton, and Ó hUidhín.
In England, the surname Whitton is believed to have derived from the Old English personal name Wid(d)a, which means "wood". The Anglo-Saxons were sometimes referred to as wood-dwellers, due to the fact they spurned stone, brick, and mortar for building their homes and instead used natural resources such as wood.
The Irish surname Whitton is believed to be of the Ua hUidhín clan (later anglicised to O'hUidhín, O Whitton, and Ó hUidhín), who were a branch of the Uí Fhearghail family. The Uí Fhearghail were descended from 7th century King Niall of the Nine Hostages, leader of the Northern Uí Néill, and they traced their origin to the northern part of present-day County Donegal.
In Ireland, the variants of the surname have almost become synonymous with the O'hUidhín spelling, but can also be found as O Whitton, Uiddeen, Uiddin, Uiddon, Uidin, Uidden, Uidane, Ó hUidhín, and Udhine. In other countries, the variants may also include Widin, Witton, Widon, Whitin, Widene, Witen, Wytton, and Wittene.
Famous people with the name Whitton
- Paul Whitton: Canadian film producer
- Jonathan Whitton: British conservationist and photographer
- Stephen Whitton: British actor and stand-up comedian
- Julie Whitton: British long-distance runner
- Emery Whitton: English footballer
- James Whitton: New Zealand rower
- Ian Whitton: English rugby union player
- Eric Whitton: American boxer
- Jon Whitton: American technology executive
- Robin Whitton: Canadian actor and director
- Kathryn Whitton: British photographer and mixed media artist
- Michael Whitton: Canadian business executive
- Evelyn Whitton: English sculptor
- David Whitton: Scottish politician
- Kevin Whitton: British motorcycle racer
- John Whitton: New Zealand railway engineer
- Paul Whitton: Canadian military veteran
- Mark Whitton: American animation producer
- Christina Whitton: Australian conservationist
- Richard Whitton: English cricketer