White Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

White Name Meaning: Nickname often given to those with a pale complexion or fair coloured hair, derives from the Old English word 'Whit'. May also be linked to the Isle of Wight in England, and the Anglo-Saxon word 'wiht' which means valiant. Also derived from the Old English fisrt name 'Hwit'

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

White Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the White family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 2,878
Female Servant 2,049
Independent 1,336
Labourer 1,034
Male Servant 737
Farmer 668
Shoe Maker 351
Carpenter 330
Tailor 233
Ag Labourer 224
Dress Maker 202
Weaver 194
Gardener 171
Blacksmith 164
Butcher 145
Apprentice 142
Laundress 140
Baker 134
Pauper 127
Servant 125
Clerk 116
Grocer 114
Mason 111
Pupil 109
Coal Miner 107

White Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 White 100% 654,575
2 Wight 20% 6,222
3 Wheat 40% 5,509
4 Whyte 80% 4,955
5 Whaite 83% 1,179
6 Whait 60% 641
7 Whate 80% 519
8 Whit 80% 411
9 Whitte 83% 410
10 Wheate 67% 279
11 Whtie 60% 184
12 Whte 80% 125
13 White House 45% 104

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The surname White is the most popular version of all its varients

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