NameCensus.

UK surname

Whiteside

A locational surname referring to someone who lived by the white side of a hill or embankment.

In the 1881 census there were 2,363 people recorded with the Whiteside surname, ranking it #1,884 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 3,258, ranked #2,089, down from #1,884 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lancaster Borough, Poulton and Lytham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wyre, Fylde and South Lakeland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whiteside is 3,413 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 37.9%.

1881 census count

2,363

Ranked #1,884

Modern count

3,258

2016, ranked #2,089

Peak year

2010

3,413 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whiteside had 2,363 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #1,884 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 3,258 in 2016, ranked #2,089.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 3,151 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established but Challenged.

Whiteside surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whiteside surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whiteside 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 1,287 #2,226
1861 historical 1,425 #1,993
1881 historical 2,363 #1,884
1891 historical 2,663 #1,789
1901 historical 3,151 #1,779
1911 historical 2,992 #1,737
1997 modern 3,347 #1,929
1998 modern 3,349 #2,000
1999 modern 3,358 #2,014
2000 modern 3,346 #2,014
2001 modern 3,269 #2,016
2002 modern 3,351 #2,019
2003 modern 3,282 #2,016
2004 modern 3,293 #2,004
2005 modern 3,238 #2,010
2006 modern 3,248 #2,016
2007 modern 3,304 #2,006
2008 modern 3,273 #2,037
2009 modern 3,335 #2,049
2010 modern 3,413 #2,044
2011 modern 3,331 #2,061
2012 modern 3,238 #2,078
2013 modern 3,291 #2,082
2014 modern 3,313 #2,085
2015 modern 3,273 #2,084
2016 modern 3,258 #2,089

Geography

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Where Whitesides are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lancaster Borough, Poulton, Lytham, Preston and Bispham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wyre, Fylde, South Lakeland and West Lancashire. 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 Lancaster Borough Lancashire
2 Poulton Lancashire
3 Lytham Lancashire
4 Preston Lancashire
5 Bispham Lancashire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wyre 009 Wyre
2 Fylde 002 Fylde
3 South Lakeland 012 South Lakeland
4 West Lancashire 001 West Lancashire
5 Fylde 003 Fylde

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whiteside

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whiteside

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Whiteside, 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 Whiteside surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established but Challenged, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Whiteside 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, Whiteside 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

Whiteside 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

Whiteside 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 Whiteside 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 Whiteside, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Whiteside

The surname Whiteside has its origins in the northern regions of England, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. It emerged during the medieval period, likely in the 12th or 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "side," referring to a hillside or slope. This suggests that the name initially described someone who lived near a prominent white hillside or slope, distinguishing them from their neighbors.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Returns of 1379, where a certain William Whytesyde is mentioned. This historical document provides valuable insight into the early use and spelling variations of the name.

In the 15th century, the Whiteside surname can be found in various Lancashire records, including the Lancashire Wills of 1548, which mentions a John Whiteside. The name's presence in these records indicates its widespread use and establishment in the region during that time period.

A notable bearer of the Whiteside name was Robert Whiteside, born in 1617 in Yorkshire. He was a prominent merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the local community. Another notable figure was William Whiteside, born in 1738 in Lancashire, who served as a respected magistrate and was known for his commitment to justice and fairness.

The Whiteside surname also made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. One of the earliest recorded instances in America was John Whiteside, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1635 from England. He went on to establish a successful farm and became a respected member of the local community.

In the 18th century, the Whiteside name gained prominence in Ireland, where it was particularly prevalent in County Antrim. A notable figure from this period was James Whiteside, born in 1804 in County Antrim. He was a prominent lawyer and politician who served as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1866 to 1876.

Another noteworthy individual was Robert Whiteside, born in 1830 in County Antrim. He was a renowned scientist and inventor who made significant contributions to the field of electricity and telecommunications. His work paved the way for the development of modern communication systems.

Throughout its history, the Whiteside surname has been associated with various occupations and professions, including farming, trade, law, politics, and science. Its origins and journey across different regions reflect the rich tapestry of history and cultural exchange that has shaped many surnames over the centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whiteside families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whiteside 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 1,787 Whitesides recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.48x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 1,787 6.48x
Lanarkshire 127 1.69x
Yorkshire 83 0.36x
Ayrshire 49 2.82x
Middlesex 43 0.18x
Westmorland 29 5.67x
Cheshire 28 0.55x
Renfrewshire 25 1.39x
Cumberland 19 0.95x
Norfolk 18 0.50x
Angus 16 0.74x
Durham 16 0.23x
Isle of Man 16 3.70x
Hampshire 12 0.25x
Surrey 12 0.11x
Northumberland 11 0.32x
Glamorgan 9 0.22x
Kent 9 0.11x
Caernarfonshire 8 0.85x
Bedfordshire 5 0.42x
Gloucestershire 5 0.11x
Sussex 5 0.13x
West Lothian 5 1.43x
Derbyshire 4 0.11x
Devon 4 0.08x
Flintshire 4 0.64x
Essex 3 0.07x
Oxfordshire 3 0.21x
Warwickshire 3 0.05x
Channel Islands 2 0.29x
Dorset 2 0.13x
Midlothian 2 0.06x
Monmouthshire 2 0.12x
Pembrokeshire 2 0.27x
Staffordshire 2 0.03x
Suffolk 2 0.07x
Wigtownshire 2 0.65x
Cornwall 1 0.04x
Denbighshire 1 0.11x
Hertfordshire 1 0.06x
Leicestershire 1 0.04x
Merionethshire 1 0.24x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.03x
Royal Navy 1 0.36x
Somerset 1 0.03x
Stirlingshire 1 0.12x
Worcestershire 1 0.03x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Preston in Lancashire leads with 277 Whitesides recorded in 1881 and an index of 37.52x.

Place Total Index
Preston 277 37.52x
Layton With Warbreck 140 138.24x
Lytham 91 216.00x
Thornton In Fylde 73 120.92x
Kirkham 69 189.14x
Blackburn 67 9.13x
Lancaster 61 37.15x
Barrow In Furness 60 15.99x
Everton 54 6.14x
Marton 52 283.38x
Barony 46 2.42x
Glasgow 42 3.14x
Liverpool 37 2.21x
Preesall With 32 474.07x
Toxteth Park 31 3.32x
Kirkdale 27 5.82x
Salford 23 2.83x
Halliwell 20 19.91x
Hesketh Cum Becconsall 19 275.36x
Little Eccleston With 19 1210.19x
Port Glasgow 19 21.81x
West Derby 19 2.35x
Oldham 18 2.02x
Freckleton 17 187.43x
North Meols 17 6.29x
Warton 17 534.59x
Westby With Plumpton 17 399.06x
Ellel 16 112.44x
Over Darwen 16 7.26x
Great Bolton 15 4.10x
Old Monkland 15 5.03x
Pendleton In Salford 15 4.56x
Poulton Le Fylde 15 153.22x
Forton 14 295.36x
Holy Trinity 14 2.53x
Orton 14 91.62x
Clayton Le Moors 13 24.28x
Great Eccleston 13 259.48x
Hulme 13 2.26x
Pilling 13 100.39x
Thurnham 13 305.88x
Bury 12 3.81x
Clitheroe 12 14.77x
Dundonald 12 18.70x
Onchan 12 9.65x
Oswaldtwistle 12 12.31x
Barnacre With Bonds 11 150.89x
Bradford 11 1.97x
Great Ryburgh 11 199.28x
Medlar With Wesham 11 132.85x
Bispham With Norbreck 10 172.41x
Mains 10 54.62x
Out Rawcliffe 10 151.98x
Skerton 10 44.13x
Widnes 10 5.02x
Bolton Le Sands 9 143.77x
Catterall 9 184.43x
Govan 9 0.48x
Hambleton 9 290.32x
Kilmaurs 9 30.40x
Wigan 9 2.33x
Aspull 8 12.32x
Brying With Kellamergh 8 816.33x
Hartlepool 8 8.14x
Portsea 8 0.86x
Poulton Cum Seacombe 8 13.55x
Spotland 8 2.61x
Bradford 7 5.42x
Crumpsall 7 10.76x
Golborne 7 19.46x
Great Little Marsden 7 5.54x
Llanddeiniolen 7 12.73x
Lowick 7 228.01x
Shap 7 62.11x
Stansfield 7 8.25x
Tranmere 7 3.71x
Tyldesley Cum Shakerley 7 8.81x
Walton Le Dale 7 9.44x
Wavertree 7 7.92x
Thirsk 6 22.56x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 163
Elizabeth 101
Jane 86
Ellen 75
Margaret 72
Alice 64
Ann 49
Sarah 49
Isabella 28
Annie 20
Emily 20
Agnes 19
Eliza 17
Catherine 16
Emma 14
Hannah 10
Harriet 10
Martha 10
Nancy 9
Amelia 7
Betty 7
Frances 7
Rebecca 7
Fanny 6
Florence 6
Margret 6
Maria 6
Edith 5
Eliz. 5
Grace 5
Kate 5
Margt. 5
Rachel 5
Susan 5
Anne 4
Dinah 4
Eleanor 4
Elizth. 4
Jenny 4
Jessie 4
Louisa 4
Ruth 4
Barbara 3
Charlotte 3
Ethel 3
Gertrude 3
Lydia 3
Mabel 3
Matilda 3
Nanny 3

Top male names

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

Name Count
John 189
William 148
Thomas 103
James 74
Richard 69
Robert 68
Henry 45
Joseph 37
George 30
Edward 22
Peter 16
Thos. 11
Frederick 9
Alfred 8
Charles 8
Walter 8
Samuel 7
Wm. 7
Andrew 6
Jonathan 6
Albert 5
Christopher 5
Arthur 4
Francis 4
Herbert 4
Moses 4
Nicholas 4
Richd. 4
Willm. 4
David 3
Frank 3
J. 3
Matthew 3
Michael 3
Ambrose 2
Anthony 2
Benjamin 2
Denis 2
Dennis 2
Edmund 2
Edwd. 2
Edwin 2
Frances 2
Fred 2
Harold 2
Jno. 2
Jos. 2
Lawrence 2
Louis 2
Wm.O. 1

FAQ

Whiteside surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whiteside surname in 1881?

In 1881, 2,363 people were recorded with the Whiteside surname. That placed it at #1,884 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whiteside surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 3,258 in 2016. That gives Whiteside a modern rank of #2,089.

What does the Whiteside surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived by the white side of a hill or embankment.

What does the Whiteside map show?

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