NameCensus.

UK surname

Whitelaw

An English surname derived from residing by a white hill or law.

In the 1881 census there were 1,791 people recorded with the Whitelaw surname, ranking it #2,424 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2,784, ranked #2,423, up from #2,424 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Kirkintilloch, New Monkland and Inveresk. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rothesay Town, Stonehouse and Uphall, Dechmont and Ecclesmachan.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whitelaw is 2,792 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 55.4%.

1881 census count

1,791

Ranked #2,424

Modern count

2,784

2016, ranked #2,423

Peak year

2010

2,792 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whitelaw had 1,791 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #2,424 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 2,784 in 2016, ranked #2,423.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 2,207 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Whitelaw surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whitelaw surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whitelaw 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 1,037 #2,703
1861 historical 1,189 #2,385
1881 historical 1,791 #2,424
1891 historical 1,913 #2,408
1901 historical 2,207 #2,449
1911 historical 481 #8,062
1997 modern 2,584 #2,455
1998 modern 2,665 #2,473
1999 modern 2,733 #2,443
2000 modern 2,726 #2,434
2001 modern 2,648 #2,450
2002 modern 2,675 #2,472
2003 modern 2,657 #2,443
2004 modern 2,618 #2,474
2005 modern 2,668 #2,410
2006 modern 2,655 #2,424
2007 modern 2,688 #2,419
2008 modern 2,677 #2,440
2009 modern 2,726 #2,453
2010 modern 2,792 #2,453
2011 modern 2,728 #2,473
2012 modern 2,683 #2,471
2013 modern 2,716 #2,480
2014 modern 2,768 #2,468
2015 modern 2,750 #2,456
2016 modern 2,784 #2,423

Geography

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Where Whitelaws are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Kirkintilloch, New Monkland, Inveresk, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rothesay Town, Stonehouse, Uphall, Dechmont and Ecclesmachan, Bute and North Tyneside. 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 Kirkintilloch Dunbarton
2 New Monkland Lanark
3 Inveresk Edinburgh
4 Govan Combination Lanark
5 Edinburgh Edinburgh

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rothesay Town Argyll and Bute
2 Stonehouse South Lanarkshire
3 Uphall, Dechmont and Ecclesmachan West Lothian
4 Bute Argyll and Bute
5 North Tyneside 022 North Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whitelaw

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whitelaw

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

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Whitelaw surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Whitelaw household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

London Fringe

Within London, Whitelaw is most associated with areas classed as London Fringe, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. 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

Predominantly located in neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Greater London, residents of these neighbourhoods typically have their highest qualifications below degree (Level 4) level, with those still in work engaged in skilled trades and occupations in distribution, hotels and restaurants. There is low ethnic diversity in these neighbourhoods and high levels of Christian religious affiliation. Detached or terraced houses predominate, often with spare rooms.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whitelaw 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

Whitelaw falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Whitelaw is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of Over 70 mbit/s.

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Whitelaw

The surname Whitelaw finds its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. The name is topographical, derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "hlaw," meaning hill or mound. This suggests that the original bearers of the name likely lived near a notable white hill or mound, characteristic of the landscape in certain parts of Scotland.

Early references to the surname can be traced to historical documents and land charters in Scotland. One of the earliest recorded instances is found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a John de Whitelow is mentioned. This document, essentially a homage to Edward I of England by Scottish nobles, captures the name Whitelaw in a period of significant national strife and medieval documentation.

The name also appears in various records as part of medieval Scotland's feudal landscape. For example, a William de Whitelaw is noted in a 14th-century land grant document referring to estates located in Midlothian, a region near Edinburgh known for its rolling hills and open spaces which could likely align with the description 'white hill.'

An earlier variant spelling of the place name as “Whyte․lau” was also recorded, reflecting the linguistic shifts over centuries. By the 16th century, the name had become more common, with several families in the Scottish Lowlands bearing the name. Another well-documented person with this surname was Robert Whitelaw, born around 1450, who served as a cleric and notable scholar of his time.

In the 18th century, James Whitelaw (1749–1813) was a distinguished Irish priest and statistician, known for his extensive work in documenting population statistics in Dublin. His contributions to the understanding of demographic trends in Dublin remain significant.

Moving into the 19th century, Alexander Whitelaw (1823-1879) emerged as a notable figure. He was a Scottish ironmaster and Member of Parliament for Glasgow, known for his industrial leadership and philanthropic efforts, contributing immensely to the iron industry and labor reforms of his time.

In more recent history, Viscount Whitelaw (William Stephen Ian Whitelaw, 1918-1999), a prominent British Conservative politician, played a crucial role in the government of Margaret Thatcher in the late 20th century. His contributions solidified the significance of the surname in British political history.

Overall, Whitelaw is a surname with profound historical roots in Scotland, its significance growing through various esteemed individuals, documented in manuscripts and records spanning the centuries. The geographical significance of the name highlights the interplay between the land and the lineage, with each Whitelaw contributing to the tapestry of history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whitelaw families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whitelaw 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 574 Whitelaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.19x.

County Total Index
Lanarkshire 574 10.19x
Midlothian 328 14.06x
Renfrewshire 99 7.34x
Angus 72 4.46x
Northumberland 61 2.35x
East Lothian 58 25.15x
Dunbartonshire 56 11.97x
Middlesex 53 0.30x
Lancashire 50 0.24x
Ayrshire 47 3.61x
Berwickshire 40 18.97x
Roxburghshire 40 12.68x
West Lothian 33 12.58x
Fife 32 3.10x
Perthshire 26 3.33x
Stirlingshire 23 3.58x
Yorkshire 23 0.13x
Nottinghamshire 20 0.85x
Clackmannanshire 19 13.21x
Durham 14 0.27x
Dumfriesshire 13 3.38x
Lincolnshire 11 0.40x
Warwickshire 10 0.23x
Argyllshire 8 1.65x
Hampshire 8 0.22x
Northamptonshire 8 0.49x
Selkirkshire 8 5.08x
Surrey 8 0.09x
Wigtownshire 8 3.46x
Kent 6 0.10x
Cumberland 4 0.27x
Glamorgan 4 0.13x
Berkshire 3 0.23x
Staffordshire 3 0.05x
Derbyshire 2 0.07x
Essex 2 0.06x
Huntingdonshire 2 0.58x
Oxfordshire 2 0.19x
Aberdeenshire 1 0.06x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.10x
Cheshire 1 0.03x
Devon 1 0.03x
Kincardineshire 1 0.47x
Peeblesshire 1 1.22x
Somerset 1 0.04x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 156 Whitelaws recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.95x.

Place Total Index
Barony 156 10.95x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 116 12.36x
Govan 114 8.19x
Glasgow 92 9.20x
Inveresk 45 71.25x
Stonehouse 38 198.95x
Dundee 34 5.65x
West Greenock 34 14.04x
Eastwood 31 37.30x
Old Monkland 30 13.42x
Kirkintilloch 27 42.47x
Dalserf 25 44.49x
Cramond 22 124.43x
South Leith 22 8.38x
Tynemouth 22 15.86x
Brechin 21 33.13x
Alloa 19 27.24x
Dunfermline 18 11.36x
Duddingston 17 36.31x
Bathgate 16 28.10x
Bonhill 16 21.30x
North Leith 16 14.82x
Bothwell 15 9.82x
Dalkeith 15 32.59x
Neilston 15 22.14x
New Monkland 15 9.01x
Shettleston 14 27.77x
Shotts 14 20.77x
Falkirk 13 8.65x
Haddington 13 38.18x
Edinburgh St Georges 12 24.79x
Everton 11 1.67x
Islington London 11 0.65x
Liverpool 11 0.88x
Maryhill 11 9.98x
Penicuik 10 31.55x
Canonbie 9 55.08x
Earle 9 2500.00x
Hamilton 9 5.73x
Kilmarnock 9 5.80x
Melrose 9 33.00x
Prestonkirk 9 78.06x
Stenton 9 253.52x
Whitekirk Tynninghame 9 142.63x
Ardrossan 8 17.73x
Carnwath 8 22.98x
Dunoon Kilmun 8 21.16x
Galashiels 8 13.74x
Halifax 8 3.16x
Hornsey 8 3.63x
Kilbirnie 8 25.57x
Rugby 8 13.47x
Torphichen 8 87.62x
Athelstaneford 7 153.85x
Beath 7 21.49x
Bendochy 7 164.32x
Berwick Upon Tweed 7 12.75x
Bulwell 7 13.72x
Cambusnethan 7 5.60x
Chirton 7 11.94x
Conside Knitsley 7 17.38x
Crailing 7 183.73x
Elswick 7 3.39x
Kilbarchan 7 17.08x
Shoreditch London 7 0.93x
St Vigeans 7 8.04x
Toxteth Park 7 1.00x
Whithorn 7 39.73x
Yetholm 7 112.36x
Basford 6 5.55x
Broughton In Salford 6 3.18x
Cardross 6 10.68x
Dunse 6 30.00x
Edinburgh Newington 6 144.23x
Galston 6 16.84x
Hume 6 247.93x
Livingstone 6 67.04x
Loudoun 6 19.14x
Nether Hallam 6 2.57x
Portsea 6 0.86x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 19
Elizabeth 9
Ann 7
Isabella 7
Sarah 7
Eliza 6
Margaret 6
Ellen 5
Catherine 4
Emma 4
Hannah 4
Matilda 4
Alice 3
Annie 3
Clara 3
Amy 2
Caroline 2
Frances 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Lilly 2
Margret 2
Martha 2
Selina 2
Susie 2
Anmira 1
Anna 1
Bertha 1
Bessie 1
Eileen 1
Elizth. 1
Emily 1
Ethel 1
Eunice 1
Eva 1
Grace 1
Hanah 1
Helen 1
Isabel 1
Joyce 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lydia 1
Mabel 1
Mable 1
Margt. 1
Maria 1
Marie 1
Marion 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 18
James 14
John 14
George 10
Thomas 8
Robert 7
Charles 5
Henry 5
Joseph 5
Alexander 4
Richard 4
Walter 4
Arthur 3
David 3
Edward 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Alfred 2
Andrew 2
Frank 2
Peter 2
Albert 1
Alex 1
Aubrey 1
Bertram 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Edgar 1
Edmund 1
Francis 1
Fredk.M. 1
Fredrick 1
Geo. 1
Gilbert 1
Lambert 1
Leonard 1
Matthew 1
Oliver 1
R. 1
Reginald 1
Richd. 1
Rob.Jas. 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1

FAQ

Whitelaw surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whitelaw surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,791 people were recorded with the Whitelaw surname. That placed it at #2,424 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whitelaw surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 2,784 in 2016. That gives Whitelaw a modern rank of #2,423.

What does the Whitelaw surname mean?

An English surname derived from residing by a white hill or law.

What does the Whitelaw map show?

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