UK surname
A surname possibly derived from "white head," indicating someone with light-colored hair.
In the 1881 census there were 418 people recorded with the Whithead surname, ranking it #7,718 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 57, ranked #34,511, down from #7,718 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Rochdale, London parishes and Manchester. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whithead is 790 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 86.4%.
1881 census count
418
Ranked #7,718
Modern count
57
2016, ranked #34,511
Peak year
1861
790 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Whithead surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Whithead surname density by area, 1881 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 | 471 | #5,275 |
| 1861 | historical | 790 | #3,489 |
| 1881 | historical | 418 | #7,718 |
| 1891 | historical | 523 | #7,161 |
| 1901 | historical | 257 | #12,898 |
| 1911 | historical | 256 | #12,688 |
| 1997 | modern | 58 | #31,831 |
| 1998 | modern | 50 | #32,899 |
| 1999 | modern | 43 | #33,683 |
| 2000 | modern | 44 | #33,602 |
| 2001 | modern | 38 | #34,004 |
| 2002 | modern | 34 | #34,634 |
| 2003 | modern | 38 | #34,361 |
| 2004 | modern | 44 | #34,053 |
| 2005 | modern | 42 | #34,395 |
| 2006 | modern | 48 | #34,245 |
| 2007 | modern | 49 | #34,422 |
| 2008 | modern | 50 | #34,521 |
| 2009 | modern | 60 | #33,989 |
| 2010 | modern | 64 | #33,946 |
| 2011 | modern | 58 | #34,330 |
| 2012 | modern | 57 | #34,452 |
| 2013 | modern | 56 | #34,581 |
| 2014 | modern | 57 | #34,556 |
| 2015 | modern | 55 | #34,620 |
| 2016 | modern | 57 | #34,511 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Rochdale, London parishes, Manchester, Ashton-under-Lyne and Down. 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 | Rochdale | Lancashire |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| 4 | Ashton-under-Lyne | Lancashire |
| 5 | Down | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Whithead 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 Whithead, 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 Whithead surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Whithead 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, Whithead 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 Whithead is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Whithead, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Whithead finds its origins in England and dates back to the early medieval period. It is believed to have originated from the north of England, particularly in regions like Yorkshire and Lancashire. The surname likely derives from the Old English words "hwita" meaning "white" and "heafod" meaning "head". This would generally have been a nickname for someone with white or fair hair.
The name Whithead shares similarities with other surnames and spellings from the medieval period, such as Whitehead or Whithed. It was not uncommon for spelling to vary significantly in historical documents due to lack of standardized spelling practices. Early references to the name appear in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls and other tax records from the 13th and 14th centuries.
One early mention of the surname is found in the Subsidy Rolls for the county of Yorkshire in 1301, where a Robertus Whythed is listed. This indicates the presence and usage of the surname as early as the beginning of the 14th century. Other similar entries from the same period include a John Whithed in the 1379 Poll Tax records of Yorkshire. These documents demonstrate the early spread and usage of the surname.
A notable individual bearing the surname Whithead is Thomas Whithead, born in 1610 and deceased in 1671. He was a prominent figure during his time, known for his involvement in local governance in Lancashire. Another significant figure is Richard Whithead, a clergyman born in 1540 and deceased in 1601, who contributed to religious and educational reforms in northern England.
Edmund Whithead, born in 1705 and deceased in 1774, was a reputable merchant and philanthropist, significantly impacting trade in the city of London. His business acumen and charitable acts left a lasting legacy among the local community. Sarah Whithead, born in 1800 and deceased in 1858, was a noted figure in the literary circles of her time, contributing various writings and playing a part in the cultural development of Victorian England.
In the context of place names, the surname Whithead may also relate to specific locations where individuals or families bearing the name were prominent. For example, the village of Whithead in Cumbria may have connections to the surname, further emphasizing its historical and geographical roots in northern England.
Throughout its history, the surname Whithead has maintained ties to its original meaning, referencing the characteristic physical feature of white or fair hair. As it spread across England, variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged, yet its origin and significance remained evident.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whithead 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. Lancashire leads with 107 Whitheads recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.21x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 107 | 2.21x |
| Yorkshire | 71 | 1.75x |
| Middlesex | 33 | 0.81x |
| Warwickshire | 29 | 2.81x |
| Somerset | 24 | 3.65x |
| Surrey | 23 | 1.15x |
| Derbyshire | 21 | 3.28x |
| Kent | 16 | 1.15x |
| Cambridgeshire | 13 | 5.02x |
| Bedfordshire | 8 | 3.78x |
| Buckinghamshire | 8 | 3.24x |
| Midlothian | 8 | 1.46x |
| Fife | 7 | 2.89x |
| Northamptonshire | 7 | 1.82x |
| Nottinghamshire | 5 | 0.91x |
| Worcestershire | 5 | 0.94x |
| Flintshire | 4 | 3.64x |
| Leicestershire | 4 | 0.88x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 0.61x |
| Staffordshire | 4 | 0.29x |
| Suffolk | 4 | 0.80x |
| Cheshire | 3 | 0.33x |
| Gloucestershire | 3 | 0.37x |
| Hampshire | 2 | 0.24x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 0.33x |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | 0.58x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 0.28x |
| Devon | 1 | 0.12x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.12x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Oldham in Lancashire leads with 35 Whitheads recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.36x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Whithead surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 27 |
| Sarah | 19 |
| Ann | 14 |
| Elizabeth | 13 |
| Annie | 9 |
| Jane | 8 |
| Alice | 7 |
| Emma | 7 |
| Eliza | 6 |
| Emily | 6 |
| Ada | 5 |
| Clara | 5 |
| Ellen | 5 |
| Hannah | 5 |
| Martha | 5 |
| Margaret | 4 |
| Fanny | 3 |
| Frances | 3 |
| Nancy | 3 |
| Charlotte | 2 |
| Elizth. | 2 |
| Florence | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Lucy | 2 |
| Maud | 2 |
| Susan | 2 |
| Agnes | 1 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Betty | 1 |
| Charity | 1 |
| Clarinda | 1 |
| Delsey | 1 |
| Elizebeth | 1 |
| Emilie | 1 |
| Emmaly | 1 |
| Ester | 1 |
| Esther | 1 |
| Evalina | 1 |
| Harriett | 1 |
| Henerietta | 1 |
| Isabella | 1 |
| Isebella | 1 |
| Janet | 1 |
| Johannah | 1 |
| Julia | 1 |
| June | 1 |
| Kate | 1 |
| Lily | 1 |
| Lucay | 1 |
| Susannah | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Whithead surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 19 |
| John | 18 |
| George | 17 |
| Thomas | 17 |
| James | 13 |
| Charles | 10 |
| Henry | 9 |
| Edward | 6 |
| Alfred | 5 |
| Frederick | 4 |
| Richard | 4 |
| Robert | 4 |
| Samuel | 4 |
| Albert | 3 |
| Arthur | 3 |
| David | 3 |
| Edmund | 3 |
| Fred | 3 |
| Harry | 3 |
| Walter | 3 |
| Daniel | 2 |
| Edmond | 2 |
| Ernest | 2 |
| Frank | 2 |
| Geo. | 2 |
| Joseph | 2 |
| S. | 2 |
| Sam | 2 |
| Wm. | 2 |
| Aaron | 1 |
| Abram | 1 |
| Charlie | 1 |
| Chas. | 1 |
| Edison | 1 |
| Edwin | 1 |
| Fred. | 1 |
| Fredrick | 1 |
| Horbert | 1 |
| Isaac | 1 |
| Ishmael | 1 |
| Jno. | 1 |
| Job | 1 |
| Joshua | 1 |
| Louis | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| Saml. | 1 |
| Samul | 1 |
| Tom | 1 |
| Willie | 1 |
| Willm. | 1 |
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 Whithead households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 82 |
| C Weaver | 7 |
| Cotton Weaver | 7 |
| Domestic Servant | 6 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Ag Labourer | 4 |
| Coal Miner | 4 |
| Farm Labour | 4 |
| Labourer | 4 |
| Farm Labourer | 3 |
| Agr Lab Daur | 2 |
| Agricultural Labour | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 2 |
| Builders Lab | 2 |
| Coal Dealer | 2 |
| Cook | 2 |
| Dressmaker | 2 |
| General Labourer | 2 |
| Genr Labourer | 2 |
| Governess (Sch Mis) | 2 |
| Housemaid | 2 |
| Labourer (General) | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| None | 2 |
| Painter | 2 |
| Sholar | 2 |
| Weaver (C) | 2 |
| Wife | 2 |
| Agr Lab Wife | 1 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Bobbin Carrier | 1 |
| Bombardier Soldier R Artillery | 1 |
| C Weaver Half Timer | 1 |
| Carter | 1 |
| Char Wom | 1 |
| Chief Constable | 1 |
| City W... | 1 |
| Coachman (Dom) | 1 |
| Confectioner Assistant | 1 |
| Crealer At Worsted Loom | 1 |
| Dividends | 1 |
| Dom Groom | 1 |
| Draper | 1 |
| Draper Daur | 1 |
| Draper Wife | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| Estate Agent (Auctioneer) | 1 |
| [ Fancy Goods] Berling Wool Worker | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 418 people were recorded with the Whithead surname. That placed it at #7,718 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 57 in 2016. That gives Whithead a modern rank of #34,511.
A surname possibly derived from "white head," indicating someone with light-colored hair.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whithead 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.