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
Scholar 10,251
Agricultural Labourer 2,718
Labourer 1,093
House Servant 817
Dress Maker 653
Servant 609
Laundress 484
General Servant 367
House Keeper 360
Carter 337
Carpenter 331
Coal Miner 307
Blacksmith 254
House Maid 245
Cook 241
Tailor 237
Lace Maker 235
Shoe Maker 233
Farm Labourer 225
Domestic Servant 220
Gardener 202
Nurse 178
Butcher 172
Wife Of Above 148
Farmer 133

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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