Surname Wilhite - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing My Timeless Ancestry: A Personal Journey Through The Wilhite Lineage Via iGENEA

For the first time, through the iGENEA test, I ventured back into the labyrinth of my ancestry. As I unlocked the concealed intricacies of my lineage, especially the prominent Wilhite surname, it fostered an enlightened peace and deep appreciation towards my rich genetic history.

R. Wilhite

Wilhite: What does the surname Wilhite mean?

The surname Wilhite is of German origin, likely deriving from either the Middle Low German term “wille” meaning “strong willed” or the German word “wilhelmine” meaning “one who is determined”. The surname Wilhite appears as early as the 15th and 16th centuries in Germany and remained popular until the 19th and 20th centuries. The Wilhite family is thought to have immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century and other parts of the world, especially England, northern Europe, and Scandinavia.

The Wilhite family takes pride in their ancestry and holds close to their German heritage. They are viewed as an honorable and strong-willed people, who have a strong sense of duty and obligation towards their family and community. The Wilhites place a great value in hard work and loyalty; the values that have been instilled in them have shaped their character. Wilhites are known to be creative and adventurous individuals, with a tendency to be independent thinkers.

The Wilhite family is an expanding one, and they have grown to be found all across the world. Its legacy lives on today, with the Wilhite family representing a strong, resilient, and honorable German-American family who continues to hold fast to their roots, while expanding across the globe.

Wilhite: Where does the name Wilhite come from?

The last name Wilhite is most commonly seen among people today in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the surname Wilhite currently ranks in the top 600 in terms of popularity. In 2020, it was listed as the 545th surname in the country. Additionally, it is most common in the southern region of the United States, specifically the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

The ancestral home of the Wilhite surname is Germany. The majority of the Wilhite family can trace its origins to a man named Georg Wilhelm who was born in 1725 in the German region of Baden. Over the years, various branches of the family have emigrated to America with the first being William Wilhite of Virginia in the pre-Revolutionary War era of the 1700s.

It appears that the popularity of the Wilhite surname may be linked to the being of a fairly common German surname. Though population records indicate that its popularity in the United States has been on a steady decline since 2010, there are still a significant number of Wilhites living in the states mentioned above as well as around the country. As the world becomes increasingly connected, it is likely that the Wilhite surname will move beyond the borders of the United States and begin appearing in other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Wilhite

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wilhite include Wilheit, Wilhoit, Wilheite, Wilhight, Wilheite and Wilhite, Wilheit. Wilhite is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin whose members originate from the Wiltshire region of England. The Wiltshire region is located in an area bordered by the counties of Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, and Wilhite is believed to have been derived from these riverine and coastal locations.

Wilhite is a surname which found its way to the United States during the 18th century. Many immigrants adopted new names to fit into their new home which became the Wilhite spelling. Today the surname is found in many countries around the world.

The variants of this surname include the spellings Wilhight, Wilhoite, Wilheit and Wilhite. Spelling variations in the English language were common even during the early years of the United States and were due to regional phonetic accents, the evolution of the English language over time, and cultural influences from neighboring countries.

Regardless of their origin, all descendants of the Wilhite family share the same proud history. The Wilhite family name has been associated with many notable people who have made a lasting impression on the world; including explorers, inventors, authors, military heroes and actors.

Famous people with the name Wilhite

• Barry Wilhite: Footballer and broadcaster
• Chris Wilhite: Television music composer
• David Wilhite: Professional bowler
• Harry Wilhite: Musician and Jazz/Blues Recording artist
• Kevin Wilhite: Major League Baseball pitcher
• Marques Wilhite: Film actor
• Martha Wilhite: American journalist
• Michael Wilhite: Former Tennessee Politician
• Ralph Wilhite: Business executive
• Rachel Wilhite: American fashion photographer
• Robert Wilhite: Graphic artist
• Stephanie Wilhite: Christian music artist
• Terry Wilhite: Minor League Baseball pitcher
• Tim Wilhite: Business executive
• Tony Wilhite: Professional Football League executive

Other surnames

Wilhide