Surname Whittum - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Whittum: What does the surname Whittum mean?
The last name Whittum is an English patronymic surname derived from the masculine personal name Witt, an ancient variant of the name White. The personal name White derived from the old English word "hwit", meaning white, bright, or beautiful, and it may originally have been a descriptive nickname for someone with fair-colored hair or a fair complexion. The name Witt is believed to have originated as early as the fifth century with the Anglo-Saxons.
In Old English, the name Witt was also used as a prefix in the creation of medieval surnames, and as a result the last name Whittum was probably derived from the given name Wittum or Witt. It is likely that the original bearer of this surname served in an important public office, such as the magistrate of a town, or held a noble title such as that of knighted sir.
The spelling of the surname was also likely to have been influenced by its phonetic rendering in past centuries. We can see evidence of this in the wide range of spelling variations that have been documented across time, including Whittum, Wightam, Whitem, Whitton, Whittin, Whitting and Whitam.
The surname Whittum is still in use today, mainly across Europe in countries such as England, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. One of the largest concentrations of the Whittum surname is in Santa Clara County in the state of California, in the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWhittum: Where does the name Whittum come from?
The last name Whittum is most commonly found in the United States today, with its highest concentrations on the East Coast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the top five states with highest Whittum populations are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland. Combined, these five states account for about fifty percent of all Whittum households in the United States.
The majority of households bearing this name are found in the larger cities and towns of these states, with the Greater Philadelphia area providing the most significant concentration of Whittums. It is also quite likely that a number of Whittums have ventured out to neighboring states, where the population of Whittums may also be concentrated.
Outside of the United States, Whittums may also be found in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. Interestingly, the name Whittum may have a Norman origin. According to one source, it is derived from the Old English words "hwiti" and "haem" which mean "wheat" and "home", respectively.
Overall, the last name Whittum is a relatively rare one, even in the United States. In many cases, mixed marriages and immigration may be the main contributing factors to the spread of the name, accounting for higher concentrations in certain regions.
Variations of the surname Whittum
The surname Whittum is derived from an Olde English surname meaning “white house”. It is spelled in a number of ways, such as Whitum, Whitam, Whitom, Whittam, Whittleham, and Whittum. The spelling variants arise from both the phonetic pronunciation of the name and the occasional misspelling of the original spelling. The surname Whittum can also be found with certain spelling variations, such as Whittums, Whitums, Whittams, Whittims, and Witems.
This surname can be found with many different surnames of similar origins. Common names that may be found with the same origin include Whistors, Whitson, and Whittier. Other similar names include Whitten, Whitters, Whittles, Whitcomb, and Whitsitt.
Depending on which country the name originates from, the spelling of the name may also vary. For example, in the United States, the surname is often spelled Whittum, whereas in the United Kingdom, it’s more commonly seen spelled as Whitom or Whitam.
The surname Whittum may also be altered from its original spelling over time. Some of the more common spellings that may result from the changes include Wittum, Whittam, Whiting, and Whitham.
In conclusion, the surname Whittum can be found in a variety of ways, all of which are derived from an Olde English name meaning “white house”. The spelling of the surname can change depending on the country, and it has a number of spellings and surnames of similar origin.
Famous people with the name Whittum
- Jennie Whittum: World renowned artistic photographer who has had her work featured in publications such as Forbes.
- Warren Whittum: A successful business executive and entrepreneur with experience leading multiple companies, including Cisco and Microsoft.
- Justin Whittum: Emmy Award winning director and writer who created the hit TV show "Call Me Crazy" and also the movie "Money Monster".
- Matthew Whittum: NBA champion and All-Star player.
- Morgan Whittum: Professional tennis player and two-time Australian Open champion.
- Henry Whittum: A renowned landscape architect who has designed parks all over the world.
- Thomas Whittum: An American painter best known for his hyper-realistic oil paintings of everyday objects.
- William Whittum: Oscar-winning cinematographer, who has worked on films like The Dark Knight and Blade Runner 2049.
- Cynthia Whittum: An Emmy-nominated writer and actress who wrote for shows such as "Everybody loves Raymond" and "Friends".
- Alex Whittum: An influential fashion designer whose work has been featured in many magazines and runway shows.