NameCensus.

UK surname

Whitby

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Whitby in North Yorkshire, England.

In the 1881 census there were 1,832 people recorded with the Whitby surname, ranking it #2,374 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,140, ranked #2,159, up from #2,374 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and Lambeth. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North West Leicestershire, Cheshire West and Chester and Halton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whitby is 3,398 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 71.4%.

1881 census count

1,832

Ranked #2,374

Modern count

3,140

2016, ranked #2,159

Peak year

1998

3,398 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whitby had 1,832 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,374 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,140 in 2016, ranked #2,159.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,533 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Whitby surname distribution map

The map shows where the Whitby surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Whitby surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whitby over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 1,115 #2,527
1861 historical 1,082 #2,601
1881 historical 1,832 #2,374
1891 historical 1,924 #2,395
1901 historical 2,309 #2,358
1911 historical 2,533 #2,014
1997 modern 3,230 #1,992
1998 modern 3,398 #1,972
1999 modern 3,370 #2,007
2000 modern 3,309 #2,033
2001 modern 3,247 #2,028
2002 modern 3,318 #2,031
2003 modern 3,278 #2,019
2004 modern 3,228 #2,037
2005 modern 3,099 #2,083
2006 modern 3,151 #2,065
2007 modern 3,164 #2,073
2008 modern 3,136 #2,103
2009 modern 3,199 #2,115
2010 modern 3,273 #2,118
2011 modern 3,172 #2,153
2012 modern 3,080 #2,170
2013 modern 3,149 #2,159
2014 modern 3,168 #2,167
2015 modern 3,135 #2,167
2016 modern 3,140 #2,159

Geography

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Where Whitbys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Lambeth and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North West Leicestershire, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Fenland and Bromsgrove. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Lambeth London (South Districts)
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North West Leicestershire 009 North West Leicestershire
2 Cheshire West and Chester 002 Cheshire West and Chester
3 Halton 012 Halton
4 Fenland 002 Fenland
5 Bromsgrove 009 Bromsgrove

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whitby

These lists show first names that appear often with the Whitby surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whitby

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whitby, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Whitby surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Whitby household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs

Within London, Whitby is most associated with areas classed as Terraced and Semi-Detached Suburbs, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly concentrated in suburban areas, these terraced and semi-detached developments are less overcrowded than the Supergroup average, and resident households are more likely to own two or more cars. There are fewer residents aged 25-44, and a larger share of residents employed in administrative and secretarial occupations. Residents are more likely to have been born in the UK, less likely to have been born in the EU or Africa, and much less likely to self-identify as Bangladeshi.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whitby is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whitby falls in decile 8 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whitby is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Whitby, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Whitby

The surname Whitby originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is a locational name, deriving from the town of Whitby in North Yorkshire. The name Whitby itself comes from the Old Norse words "hvit" meaning white and "by" meaning town or village, referring to the white color of the houses in the area.

The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Whitby appears in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1166, where one Robert de Whiteby is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already in use by this time, and likely originated earlier in the 11th or 12th century.

Whitby was an important fishing town and port in medieval times, and the name likely gained prominence due to the economic activities of its residents. The town is also known for its association with the famous Anglo-Saxon poet Caedmon, who lived in Whitby Abbey in the 7th century.

One notable bearer of the Whitby surname was Sir Henry Whitby (c.1573-1629), an English merchant and member of the East India Company. He played a significant role in establishing trade relations between England and India during the early 17th century.

Another prominent figure was Daniel Whitby (1638-1726), an English Anglican theologian and biblical scholar. He is best known for his work "Paraphrase and Commentary on the New Testament," which was influential in its time.

In the 18th century, John Whitby (1714-1784) was a British politician and Member of Parliament for Nottingham. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1766.

Moving into the 19th century, Sir Edward Whitby (1805-1875) was a British naval officer and explorer. He served in the Royal Navy and was part of several important expeditions, including the exploration of the Antarctic regions.

Finally, in the 20th century, Beatrice Whitby (1914-1996) was a British artist and sculptor known for her abstract works in various media, including metal, stone, and wood.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the surname Whitby throughout history, showcasing the longevity and significance of this English locational name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whitby families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whitby surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 233 Whitbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.10x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 233 1.10x
Cheshire 229 5.83x
Surrey 170 1.96x
Middlesex 163 0.92x
Nottinghamshire 150 6.26x
Norfolk 127 4.64x
Hertfordshire 81 6.61x
Staffordshire 72 1.20x
Essex 69 1.97x
Cambridgeshire 56 4.97x
Warwickshire 48 1.07x
Leicestershire 45 2.28x
Somerset 45 1.57x
Lincolnshire 40 1.41x
Yorkshire 33 0.19x
Derbyshire 30 1.08x
Kent 24 0.40x
Suffolk 24 1.11x
Bedfordshire 23 2.50x
Glamorgan 22 0.71x
Northamptonshire 22 1.32x
Worcestershire 14 0.60x
Gloucestershire 11 0.32x
Herefordshire 11 1.51x
Devon 9 0.24x
Dorset 9 0.77x
Durham 8 0.15x
Sussex 8 0.27x
Wigtownshire 6 2.54x
Buckinghamshire 5 0.47x
Brecknockshire 4 1.12x
Denbighshire 4 0.60x
Flintshire 4 0.84x
Hampshire 4 0.11x
Angus 3 0.18x
Northumberland 3 0.11x
Shropshire 3 0.20x
Cumberland 2 0.13x
Renfrewshire 2 0.15x
Caernarfonshire 1 0.14x
Caithness 1 0.41x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.13x
Kirkcudbrightshire 1 0.39x
Pembrokeshire 1 0.18x
Perthshire 1 0.13x
Rutland 1 0.77x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 59 Whitbys recorded in 1881 and an index of 9.52x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 59 9.52x
Weston In Runcorn 45 441.18x
Lambeth 39 2.52x
Newington 36 5.48x
Toxteth Park 33 4.62x
Harpley 29 1119.69x
Yeovil 28 48.14x
Aston 26 2.11x
Hackney London 26 2.61x
Widnes 26 17.08x
Liverpool 25 1.95x
Frodsham Lordship 24 361.45x
Wandsworth 23 13.44x
Lichfield St Mary 20 115.54x
Over 20 50.13x
St Pancras London 20 1.40x
Sandon 19 409.48x
Whitby 19 209.71x
Walpole St Andrew 18 421.55x
West Derby 18 2.92x
Everton 17 2.53x
Great Massingham 17 315.40x
Camberwell 16 1.41x
Heap 16 14.30x
Hatfield 14 56.34x
Runcorn 14 15.47x
Wimpole 14 648.15x
Buckland 13 593.61x
Chester St Oswald 13 18.29x
Southwark St George Martyr 13 3.63x
Birmingham 12 0.80x
Clerkenwell London 12 2.86x
East Leake 12 208.70x
Kirkdale 12 3.38x
Manchester 12 1.26x
Sutton Bonnington 12 196.08x
West Ham 12 1.55x
Barrow Upon Soar 11 67.57x
Birkenhead 11 3.52x
Hoole 11 74.12x
Chorlton On Medlock 10 2.98x
East Dereham 10 28.95x
Gilston 10 602.41x
Great Walsingham 10 362.32x
Islington London 10 0.58x
Sedgeford 10 215.98x
Thrumpton 10 1010.10x
Barnes 9 24.56x
Croydon Cum Clapton 9 309.28x
Edmonton 9 6.28x
Kettering 9 13.30x
Loughborough 9 10.06x
Markfield 9 92.02x
Somerby In Grantham 9 124.31x
St Andrewthe Less 9 6.99x
Stanley 9 174.76x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 1.41x
Wellingborough 9 10.70x
Wennington 9 750.00x
Bassingbourn 8 48.34x
Brightside Bierlow 8 2.31x
Comberbach 8 423.28x
Greenwich 8 2.83x
Hucknall Torkard 8 13.16x
Luton 8 5.02x
Northfield 8 18.16x
Pendleton In Salford 8 3.18x
Ratcliffe London 8 8.15x
Tonge 8 18.07x
Upminster 8 109.74x
Walford 8 110.19x
Walsall Borough 8 17.17x
Barrow In Furness 7 2.44x
Brantham 7 283.40x
Bromley London 7 1.79x
Clee With Weelsby 7 11.25x
Derby St Alkmund 7 8.39x
Leamington Priors 7 6.34x
Lower Bebington 7 30.02x
Thorpe Tilney 7 1014.49x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Whitby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 118
Elizabeth 78
Sarah 71
Ann 39
Jane 36
Emma 31
Eliza 30
Annie 25
Margaret 25
Martha 23
Louisa 22
Alice 21
Ellen 20
Emily 20
Harriet 18
Florence 15
Ada 11
Anne 11
Caroline 11
Charlotte 11
Maria 11
Frances 10
Hannah 10
Susan 10
Lucy 9
Clara 8
Edith 8
Catherine 7
Harriett 7
Kate 6
Susanah 6
Amy 5
Fanny 5
Gertrude 5
Lydia 5
Rachel 5
Rose 5
Agnes 4
Eleanor 4
Henrietta 4
Jessie 4
Julia 4
Matilda 4
Maud 4
Rebecca 4
Ruth 4
Susannah 4
Winifred 4
Laura 3
Rosa 3

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Whitby surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 118
John 102
Thomas 66
George 54
James 53
Joseph 42
Charles 41
Henry 36
Robert 31
Alfred 29
Arthur 28
Frederick 24
Samuel 15
Walter 15
Albert 14
Edward 13
Edwin 10
Benjamin 9
Harry 8
Herbert 8
Daniel 7
Francis 7
David 5
Frank 5
Thos. 5
Tom 5
Fred 4
Richard 4
Anthony 3
Carter 3
Elijah 3
Ernest 3
Matthew 3
Sidney 3
Abraham 2
Ebenezer 2
Elias 2
Geo. 2
Hannah 2
Harold 2
Jno. 2
Jonathan 2
Josiah 2
Oliver 2
Peter 2
Rowland 2
Sydney 2
Timothy 2
Watlington 2
Wm. 2

FAQ

Whitby surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whitby surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,832 people were recorded with the Whitby surname. That placed it at #2,374 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whitby surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,140 in 2016. That gives Whitby a modern rank of #2,159.

What does the Whitby surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone from the town of Whitby in North Yorkshire, England.

What does the Whitby map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whitby bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.