NameCensus.

UK surname

Whiteford

An English toponymic surname derived from the name of a town possibly related to a ford over a white river or stream.

In the 1881 census there were 796 people recorded with the Whiteford surname, ranking it #4,675 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,281, ranked #4,677, down from #4,675 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kilbirnie, Lanark and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Doon Valley South, Doon Valley North and Seaboard.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whiteford is 1,302 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 60.9%.

1881 census count

796

Ranked #4,675

Modern count

1,281

2016, ranked #4,677

Peak year

2010

1,302 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whiteford had 796 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #4,675 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,281 in 2016, ranked #4,677.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,003 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Whiteford surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whiteford surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whiteford 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 501 #4,984
1861 historical 674 #3,983
1881 historical 796 #4,675
1891 historical 870 #4,725
1901 historical 1,003 #4,750
1911 historical 301 #11,422
1997 modern 1,164 #4,846
1998 modern 1,221 #4,817
1999 modern 1,258 #4,733
2000 modern 1,245 #4,756
2001 modern 1,209 #4,771
2002 modern 1,274 #4,658
2003 modern 1,224 #4,723
2004 modern 1,245 #4,657
2005 modern 1,230 #4,662
2006 modern 1,250 #4,609
2007 modern 1,251 #4,652
2008 modern 1,265 #4,617
2009 modern 1,275 #4,697
2010 modern 1,302 #4,700
2011 modern 1,292 #4,669
2012 modern 1,254 #4,727
2013 modern 1,271 #4,751
2014 modern 1,289 #4,716
2015 modern 1,282 #4,693
2016 modern 1,281 #4,677

Geography

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Where Whitefords are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kilbirnie, Lanark, Edinburgh, Greenock and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Doon Valley South, Doon Valley North, Seaboard, New Cumnock and Cupar West and Springfield. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Kilbirnie Ayr
2 Lanark Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Greenock Renfrew
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Doon Valley South East Ayrshire
2 Doon Valley North East Ayrshire
3 Seaboard Highland
4 New Cumnock East Ayrshire
5 Cupar West and Springfield Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whiteford

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whiteford

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whiteford, 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

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Established but Challenged

Nationally, the Whiteford surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Whiteford household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many households in these neighbourhoods comprise separated or divorced single parents with dependent children. Residents are typically born in the UK, and these neighbourhoods have relatively few members of ethnic minorities. The prevalence of children, their parents and those at or above normal retirement age, suggests neighbourhood structures may be long-established. Levels of unpaid care are high, and long-term disability is more common than in the Supergroup as a whole. Use of the social rented sector is common, often in terraced houses. Levels of overcrowding are above the Supergroup average. Unemployment is high, while those in work are employed in elementary occupations such as caring, leisure and customer services. Many residents have low level qualifications. Neighbourhood concentrations of this Group are found in the South Wales Valleys, Belfast, Londonderry and the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Whiteford is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. 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

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whiteford is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

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

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whiteford falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whiteford 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 Whiteford, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Whiteford

The surname Whiteford has its origins in the United Kingdom, specifically Scotland. Derived from Old English elements, it likely stems from the words "hwita" meaning "white" and "ford" meaning "river crossing." The range and application of these terms suggest that the name may have been used to describe either a geographic feature or a significant landmark within a community.

Early place name references related to Whiteford can be traced to regions such as Perthshire and Lanarkshire in Scotland. These areas have historically been known for their rivers and fords, where such a description would be apt. The name has also appeared in historical documents dating back to the medieval era, though precise records of its first usage can be somewhat challenging due to the changing orthographic practices of the time.

One of the earliest known instances of the Whiteford surname occurs in the historical records of the 13th century. An early mention can be found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where members of the nobility and landowners in Scotland pledged allegiance to King Edward I of England. These rolls feature a John de Whiteford as a signatory, indicating the surname's established presence by the late 13th century.

Throughout the centuries, the name Whiteford has appeared in various official documents and charters. Sir Adam Whiteford of Dunduff, who lived during the 15th century, is a notable figure associated with this surname. Sir Adam held lands in Renfrewshire and maintained a significant social standing within the local Scottish gentry.

In the mid-16th century, another distinguished bearer of the surname was Alexander Whiteford. Serving as a legal official in Edinburgh, Alexander Whiteford was an advocate whose legal expertise was well-regarded during the height of the Renaissance in Scotland. His contributions to the legal institutions of the period added to the prominence of the surname.

Jumping to the 18th century, Lieutenant Edward Whiteford of the British Army's 78th Highlanders is another historically significant figure. Born in 1722, he served with distinction during the Jacobite Rebellions and later in various military campaigns abroad. His career highlights the reach and influence of the Whiteford name within both military and civilian circles of British society.

In the realm of exploration and science, Dr. Robert Whiteford, born in 1799, made remarkable contributions during the 19th century. As a noted botanist, his research and publications on British flora helped advance the field and brought recognition to his surname.

The surname Whiteford carries a rich history embedded within the topographic and societal fabric of Scotland and the broader United Kingdom. From medieval landowners and nobles to legal officials, military officers, and scientists, the Whiteford name has been associated with various prominent individuals who have left significant marks on historical records over several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whiteford families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whiteford 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. Lanarkshire leads with 161 Whitefords recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.43x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 161 6.43x
Renfrewshire 144 23.99x
Ayrshire 106 18.29x
Midlothian 49 4.72x
Lancashire 37 0.40x
Northumberland 34 2.95x
Gloucestershire 31 2.04x
Argyllshire 29 13.45x
Cheshire 18 1.05x
Angus 15 2.09x
Middlesex 15 0.19x
Buteshire 13 27.70x
Devon 13 0.81x
Durham 12 0.52x
Wigtownshire 12 11.67x
Perthshire 10 2.88x
Dunbartonshire 9 4.32x
Staffordshire 9 0.34x
Surrey 9 0.24x
Flintshire 8 3.84x
Glamorgan 8 0.59x
West Lothian 8 6.86x
Morayshire 7 5.82x
Essex 6 0.39x
Selkirkshire 5 7.14x
Stirlingshire 5 1.75x
Yorkshire 5 0.07x
Cornwall 3 0.34x
Wiltshire 3 0.44x
Herefordshire 2 0.63x
Caithness 1 0.94x
Inverness-shire 1 0.43x
Lincolnshire 1 0.08x
Nairnshire 1 4.23x
Peeblesshire 1 2.75x
Royal Navy 1 1.08x
Somerset 1 0.08x
Warwickshire 1 0.05x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilbirnie in Ayrshire leads with 34 Whitefords recorded in 1881 and an index of 244.25x.

Place Total Index
Kilbirnie 34 244.25x
West Greenock 32 29.70x
Barony 28 4.42x
Paisley High Church 28 58.59x
Govan 27 4.36x
Cramond 26 330.79x
Campbeltown 25 96.12x
Lanark 25 124.07x
Hamilton 19 27.20x
Bitton Oldland 18 115.90x
Abbey 15 16.38x
East Greenock 14 24.70x
Glasgow 14 3.15x
Paisley Middle Church 14 40.06x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 3.11x
Old Monkland 13 13.08x
Rothesay 13 57.19x
Ardrossan 12 59.82x
Mearns 12 114.18x
Paisley Low Church 12 63.16x
Stewarton 12 104.62x
Port Glasgow 11 37.90x
Beith 10 57.80x
Disley Stanley 10 113.64x
Blackley 9 55.87x
Forfar 9 23.17x
New Cumnock 9 89.55x
Douglas 8 110.80x
Llanasa 8 110.80x
Logierait 8 130.72x
Plymouth Charles The 8 11.26x
Sedgley 8 8.24x
Tarbolton 8 83.86x
Whitburn 8 47.48x
Whithorn 8 102.04x
Dalmellington 7 41.08x
Dalserf 7 28.00x
Everton 7 2.39x
Loughor 7 97.77x
Walton On Hill 7 14.06x
Alnwick 6 30.29x
Forres 6 47.43x
Shotts 6 20.02x
Tanfield 6 21.90x
Tweedmouth 6 41.75x
Bristol St George 5 7.12x
Cambusnethan 5 8.99x
Cardross 5 20.01x
Clapham 5 5.16x
Galashiels 5 19.31x
Hammersmith London 5 2.62x
Lesmahagow 5 18.88x
West Derby 5 1.86x
West Ham 5 1.48x
Byker 4 7.02x
Glasserton 4 125.39x
Kirkdale 4 2.59x
Liscard 4 12.99x
Newcastle On Tyne St 4 6.70x
Newton In Ashton Under 4 23.71x
Prudhoe 4 49.88x
Bradford 3 1.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 2.10x
Compton 3 280.37x
Coupar Angus 3 44.18x
Dundee 3 1.12x
Gateshead 3 1.74x
Kilmaurs 3 30.43x
Polmont 3 28.44x
St Columb Minor 3 40.76x
West Lavington 3 91.46x
East Kilbride 2 18.64x
Killean Kilchenzie 2 54.64x
Lambeth 2 0.30x
Longbenton 2 4.10x
Mirfield 2 4.75x
Old Kilpatrick 2 8.13x
Poplar London 2 1.37x
St Andrew Holborn 2 7.62x
Throckley 2 62.89x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 15
Mary 13
Sarah 6
Ann 5
Margaret 5
Isabella 4
Jane 3
Agness 2
Alice 2
Annie 2
Ellen 2
Emma 2
Adeline 1
Agnes 1
Anastastia 1
Augusta 1
Barbara 1
Beatrice 1
Caroline 1
Catherine 1
Dorothy 1
Edith 1
Eliz. 1
Eliza 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Evelin 1
Florence 1
Francis 1
Georgiana 1
Grace 1
Harriet 1
Henrietta 1
Imogene 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katherine 1
Lucy 1
Lydia 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Mariam 1
Martha 1
Robina 1
Rose 1
Selena 1
Susanna 1
Sussanna 1
Tabitha 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
James 18
William 12
John 9
Charles 8
George 6
Robert 6
Edward 4
Alexander 3
Andrew 3
Malcolm 3
Matthew 3
Thomas 3
Alfred 2
David 2
Henry 2
Joseph 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Adam 1
Albert 1
Alex 1
Archibald 1
Basil 1
Bernard 1
Daniel 1
E. 1
Ernest 1
Eustace 1
Ewen 1
Fenwick 1
Fredrick 1
Hamilton 1
Lionel 1
Mark 1
Percy 1
Quinten 1
Saml. 1
Saml.R. 1
Sidney 1
Sydney 1
Wilfred 1

FAQ

Whiteford surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whiteford surname in 1881?

In 1881, 796 people were recorded with the Whiteford surname. That placed it at #4,675 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whiteford surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,281 in 2016. That gives Whiteford a modern rank of #4,677.

What does the Whiteford surname mean?

An English toponymic surname derived from the name of a town possibly related to a ford over a white river or stream.

What does the Whiteford map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whiteford 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.