NameCensus.

UK surname

Whitemore

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "white moor" or "white moorland".

In the 1881 census there were 180 people recorded with the Whitemore surname, ranking it #13,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 236, ranked #17,470, down from #13,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Blackford, South Stoneham and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Taunton Deane, Bath and North East Somerset and Forest of Dean.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whitemore is 310 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 31.1%.

1881 census count

180

Ranked #13,735

Modern count

236

2016, ranked #17,470

Peak year

1911

310 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whitemore had 180 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016, ranked #17,470.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 310 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Whitemore surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whitemore surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whitemore 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 171 #11,730
1861 historical 263 #9,423
1881 historical 180 #13,735
1891 historical 276 #11,810
1901 historical 267 #12,587
1911 historical 310 #11,180
1997 modern 267 #14,623
1998 modern 284 #14,402
1999 modern 291 #14,234
2000 modern 263 #15,228
2001 modern 254 #15,363
2002 modern 264 #15,236
2003 modern 259 #15,254
2004 modern 235 #16,379
2005 modern 241 #16,036
2006 modern 240 #16,177
2007 modern 239 #16,449
2008 modern 238 #16,640
2009 modern 245 #16,646
2010 modern 259 #16,386
2011 modern 269 #15,800
2012 modern 246 #16,702
2013 modern 241 #17,202
2014 modern 245 #17,140
2015 modern 237 #17,413
2016 modern 236 #17,470

Geography

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Where Whitemores are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Blackford, South Stoneham, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller 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 Taunton Deane, Bath and North East Somerset, Forest of Dean, North Somerset and Mendip. 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 Blackford Somerset
2 South Stoneham Hampshire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Langport, Drayton with Middleney, Curry Rivell, Swell, Aller Somerset
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Taunton Deane 001 Taunton Deane
2 Bath and North East Somerset 004 Bath and North East Somerset
3 Forest of Dean 008 Forest of Dean
4 North Somerset 006 North Somerset
5 Mendip 014 Mendip

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whitemore

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whitemore

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whitemore, 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 Whitemore surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Whitemore 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Whitemore is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Whitemore 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

Whitemore falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Whitemore

The surname Whitemore has its origins in England, likely dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have first emerged in areas such as Gloucestershire or Worcestershire. The name is derived from Old English elements; "hwita" meaning white, and "mor" meaning moor or marsh, indicating a geographic or topographical origin. Essentially, Whitemore referred to someone who lived by or in a marshland that was conspicuously white.

Early records hint at the surname's existence through various historical documents and manuscripts. One of the earliest references to a similar name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which contains numerous mentions of places like Whitemere, possibly an earlier form of Whitemore. Moreover, the evolution of the surname can be traced in ecclesiastical records and manor rolls from the 12th and 13th centuries.

An early recorded example of the surname is from a legal document dated 1273, where a John de Whitemore is listed as a witness in a property dispute in Gloucestershire. This suggests that the name was not only a family identifier but also served to note one's place of origin or residence. Over time, variations such as Whitmore and Whitemarsh appeared, but Whitemore remained distinct and widely recognized.

One notable figure bearing the surname is Sir William Whitemore (c.1543–1593), an English merchant and politician who served as a Member of Parliament. His contributions to commerce and governance are well-documented, particularly in the records of the late 16th century. Another significant individual was George Whitemore, a 17th-century clergyman who played an active role in religious reforms within the Anglican Church.

The 18th century saw Eleanor Whitemore, born in 1712, who became renowned for her philanthropic efforts in her local community of Worcester. She established several charitable organizations, providing aid and education to the underprivileged, leaving a lasting legacy in social welfare.

In the 19th century, James Whitemore (1830-1891), an accomplished engineer, contributed significantly to the development of early railway systems in England. His work in designing more efficient rail tracks helped improve transportation and commerce during the Industrial Revolution.

Lastly, Florence Whitemore (1863-1944) gained recognition as a pioneering female author. Her novels and poems, reflecting the social and cultural issues of her time, were widely celebrated and continue to be studied in English literature courses.

The surname Whitemore, through its various historical references and notable figures, paints a picture of a name deeply rooted in English heritage, carrying with it a history of geographical significance and individual achievement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whitemore families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whitemore 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. Somerset leads with 52 Whitemores recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.30x.

County Total Index
Somerset 52 18.30x
Bedfordshire 19 20.79x
Nottinghamshire 19 7.98x
Dorset 15 12.95x
Middlesex 15 0.85x
Kent 10 1.66x
Northamptonshire 8 4.82x
Essex 6 1.72x
Gloucestershire 6 1.73x
Lancashire 5 0.24x
Warwickshire 5 1.12x
Derbyshire 4 1.45x
Leicestershire 3 1.53x
Cornwall 2 1.00x
Denbighshire 2 3.00x
Devon 2 0.54x
Wiltshire 2 1.28x
Hampshire 1 0.28x
Lanarkshire 1 0.18x
Royal Navy 1 4.75x
Staffordshire 1 0.17x
Surrey 1 0.12x
Sussex 1 0.34x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Langport in Somerset leads with 9 Whitemores recorded in 1881 and an index of 6428.57x.

Place Total Index
Langport 9 6428.57x
Cardington 7 945.95x
Hackney London 7 7.07x
Nottingham St Nicholas 7 216.05x
Bexley 6 112.57x
Great Chishall 6 2400.00x
Kingsthorpe 6 324.32x
Nottingham St Mary 6 9.75x
Radford 6 49.63x
Bath St Peter St Paul 5 396.83x
Birmingham 5 3.37x
Blackford 5 6250.00x
Broadwinsor 5 657.89x
Manchester 5 5.31x
Milton Ernest 5 2000.00x
Sandford Orcas 5 3333.33x
Stoke Abbott 5 1515.15x
Swainswick 5 1315.79x
Westbury On Trym 5 42.63x
Bath St James 4 135.14x
Clevedon 4 135.14x
Hawkchurch 4 1111.11x
Limehouse London 4 20.64x
Paddington London 4 6.16x
Shepton Mallet 4 125.39x
Taunton St Mary 4 76.63x
Brimington 3 142.86x
Leicester All Sts 3 78.13x
Upper Gravenhurst 3 1428.57x
Bath St Michael 2 138.89x
Chiddingstone 2 253.16x
Great Torrington 2 96.15x
Margate St John Baptist 2 18.13x
Maulden 2 253.16x
Northampton All Sts 2 35.52x
Walcot 2 13.22x
Wrexham Abbot 2 119.05x
Audley 1 16.95x
Barony 1 0.69x
Bedford St Mary 1 42.55x
Bedford St Peter 1 42.19x
Bodmin 1 30.21x
Bratton Seymour 1 2000.00x
Clifton 1 5.71x
Helston 1 48.08x
Hove 1 7.66x
Longford 1 400.00x
North Cadbury 1 185.19x
North Stoneham 1 121.95x
Penge 1 8.87x
Radipole 1 125.00x
Royal Navy 1 5.56x
Sherrington 1 1111.11x
St Decumans 1 370.37x
Westbury 1 27.47x

Top female names

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

Top male names

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

FAQ

Whitemore surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whitemore surname in 1881?

In 1881, 180 people were recorded with the Whitemore surname. That placed it at #13,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whitemore surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 236 in 2016. That gives Whitemore a modern rank of #17,470.

What does the Whitemore surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name meaning "white moor" or "white moorland".

What does the Whitemore map show?

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