UK surname
A locational surname derived from a place name referring to a light-colored or white oak tree.
In the 1881 census there were 7 people recorded with the Whiteaker surname, ranking it #32,765 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 67, ranked #33,884, down from #32,765 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Otley and Christchurch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whiteaker is 142 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 857.1%.
1881 census count
7
Ranked #32,765
Modern count
67
2016, ranked #33,884
Peak year
1861
142 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Whiteaker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Whiteaker surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 111 | #16,006 |
| 1861 | historical | 142 | #15,982 |
| 1881 | historical | 7 | #32,765 |
| 1891 | historical | 101 | #23,870 |
| 1901 | historical | 50 | #28,590 |
| 1911 | historical | 75 | #25,322 |
| 1997 | modern | 78 | #29,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 84 | #29,537 |
| 1999 | modern | 88 | #29,287 |
| 2000 | modern | 92 | #28,832 |
| 2001 | modern | 85 | #29,396 |
| 2002 | modern | 83 | #30,070 |
| 2003 | modern | 81 | #30,311 |
| 2004 | modern | 85 | #30,132 |
| 2005 | modern | 81 | #30,740 |
| 2006 | modern | 73 | #31,954 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 70 | #32,856 |
| 2009 | modern | 73 | #32,923 |
| 2010 | modern | 72 | #33,324 |
| 2011 | modern | 78 | #32,819 |
| 2012 | modern | 78 | #33,044 |
| 2013 | modern | 75 | #33,409 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 67 | #33,884 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Otley, Christchurch, Bingley and Church Gresley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Otley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 3 | Christchurch | Monmouthshire |
| 4 | Bingley | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 5 | Church Gresley | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Whiteaker surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whiteaker, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Whiteaker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Whiteaker household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Whiteaker is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whiteaker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Whiteaker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Whiteaker originates from England and is most commonly associated with the counties of Devonshire and Yorkshire. The name dates back to the medieval period, with its earliest forms appearing in various historical records from the 13th and 14th centuries. The name Whiteaker is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "æcer," meaning field or cultivated land. This indicates that the name likely described someone who lived by or owned a piece of pale or light-colored land.
One of the earliest known references to the surname appears in the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379, where a William Whittaker is listed. This suggests that the surname was already established in England by the late 14th century. The name underwent various spellings over the centuries, including Whittacre, Whittaker, and Whitaker, reflecting regional dialects and changes in language over time.
A notable historical figure with the surname is Thomas Whittaker (1611-1646), an English Catholic martyr who was executed during the English Civil War for refusing to renounce his faith. Another prominent person is Sir Edward Whittaker (1655-1721), an English colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Bermuda. Additionally, Richard Whittaker (1730-1804) was a well-known landowner and philanthropist in Yorkshire, who contributed to local social causes.
In the 19th century, the name Whiteaker became associated with Thomas Whittaker (1796-1872), a British publisher and bookseller known for his contributions to the dissemination of religious and educational texts. Another significant individual is Sir John Whitaker Hulke (1830-1895), a distinguished surgeon and geologist who made considerable contributions to the scientific community.
Thus, the surname Whiteaker not only reveals a connection to a specific geographical feature in medieval England but also highlights a lineage of individuals who played various roles in British historical, social, and scientific contexts.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whiteaker surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Essex leads with 5 Whiteakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 5 | 37.20x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 2.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leyton Low in Essex leads with 5 Whiteakers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1851.85x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Leyton Low | 5 | 1851.85x |
| Blackley | 2 | 1428.57x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Whiteaker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Whiteaker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| David | 2 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Whiteaker households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Formerly Farmers Wife | 1 |
| Plumber & Painter | 1 |
| Silk & Woollen Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 7 people were recorded with the Whiteaker surname. That placed it at #32,765 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 67 in 2016. That gives Whiteaker a modern rank of #33,884.
A locational surname derived from a place name referring to a light-colored or white oak tree.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whiteaker bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.