NameCensus.

UK surname

Whitington

Locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the white farm" or "white town."

In the 1881 census there were 219 people recorded with the Whitington surname, ranking it #12,122 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 174, ranked #21,466, down from #12,122 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes and Thakeham. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Runnymede, Northumberland and Eastbourne.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whitington is 270 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 20.5%.

1881 census count

219

Ranked #12,122

Modern count

174

2016, ranked #21,466

Peak year

1851

270 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Whitington had 219 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #12,122 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016, ranked #21,466.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 270 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Whitington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Whitington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Whitington 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 270 #8,275
1861 historical 213 #11,419
1881 historical 219 #12,122
1891 historical 187 #15,679
1901 historical 151 #17,988
1911 historical 230 #13,686
1997 modern 174 #19,231
1998 modern 187 #18,857
1999 modern 186 #19,073
2000 modern 187 #18,990
2001 modern 188 #18,652
2002 modern 189 #18,950
2003 modern 177 #19,549
2004 modern 179 #19,523
2005 modern 166 #20,379
2006 modern 173 #19,995
2007 modern 172 #20,321
2008 modern 166 #20,966
2009 modern 170 #21,095
2010 modern 168 #21,733
2011 modern 177 #20,874
2012 modern 173 #21,135
2013 modern 176 #21,237
2014 modern 181 #21,033
2015 modern 175 #21,372
2016 modern 174 #21,466

Geography

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Where Whitingtons are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst, London parishes, Thakeham, Petworth and Brighton. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Runnymede, Northumberland, Eastbourne and Wiltshire. 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 Broadwater (incl. Worthing), Nuthurst Sussex
2 London parishes London 3
3 Thakeham Sussex
4 Petworth Sussex
5 Brighton Sussex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Runnymede 002 Runnymede
2 Runnymede 003 Runnymede
3 Northumberland 037 Northumberland
4 Eastbourne 001 Eastbourne
5 Wiltshire 015 Wiltshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Whitington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Whitington

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

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Whitington surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Whitington household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

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Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Whitington is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

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

Whitington is most concentrated in decile 5 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

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

5
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Whitington falls in decile 6 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.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Whitington

The surname Whitington has its origins in England, specifically during the medieval period. It is a locational surname, often derived from the place where a person lived or owned land. The name Whitington is believed to have been derived from the Old English words 'hwita' meaning white and 'tun' meaning settlement or farm. Thus, Whitington could be interpreted as "the settlement of the white people" or "the white settlement."

The earliest references to the surname Whitington can be traced back to areas in England such as Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. These places had settlements named Whittington, which may have influenced the variation and adoption of the surname Whitington. While the Domesday Book of 1086 does not specifically list Whitington, it does mention places like Witingetone and Widetune, which bear a phonetic resemblance.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Whitington was Robert de Whittington, listed in tax records around the early 13th century in Nottinghamshire. This suggests that the family had established some prominence in their local community by this time.

Richard Whitington, a prominent figure in the early 14th century, was an alderman in London and held considerable influence. His exact dates of birth and death remain uncertain, but he was active around 1320. Richard was among the notable citizens who helped shape the governance of the city during his time.

Henry Whitington, another historical figure, is listed in records from the late 15th century. He served as a recorder in the county of Derbyshire around 1478. This position entailed keeping public records and legal matters, highlighting the importance and respectable status of the Whitington family in local governance.

Thomas Whitington, born in the late 16th century, was a known landowner in Nottinghamshire. He is documented in the records as having various land transactions from around 1590. The fact that he was involved in such transactions indicates that the Whitington family maintained its presence and influence in the region over several generations.

The Whitington name also appears in literature references; one such individual, John Whitington, was a minor poet in the early 17th century. Born around 1610, John contributed to various published works through poems and essays that were well-received during his time.

Another notable historical figure was Edward Whitington, a mercer by profession, documented in the early 18th century. Edward was born in 1694 and was known for his philanthropy, donating to several local charities in Nottinghamshire.

The surname Whitington shows a rich history rooted in medieval England, with significant connections to local governance, commerce, and culture. The name's lineage reveals how it evolved through various spellings and has been carried by noteworthy individuals across different centuries, reflecting a sustained legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Whitington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whitington 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. Sussex leads with 121 Whitingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 34.22x.

County Total Index
Sussex 121 34.22x
Middlesex 22 1.05x
Yorkshire 10 0.48x
Merionethshire 9 23.45x
Cardiganshire 8 15.64x
Berkshire 7 4.45x
Surrey 6 0.59x
Warwickshire 6 1.13x
Cheshire 5 1.08x
Nottinghamshire 5 1.77x
Essex 3 0.72x
Hampshire 3 0.70x
Lancashire 3 0.12x
Monmouthshire 3 1.98x
Gloucestershire 1 0.24x
Leicestershire 1 0.43x
Royal Navy 1 4.00x
Staffordshire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 17 Whitingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.83x.

Place Total Index
Brighton 17 23.83x
Pulborough 14 1076.92x
Billingshurst 13 1120.69x
Kirdford 13 1056.91x
Wisborough Green 10 840.34x
Petworth 9 426.54x
Talyllyn 9 600.00x
Llancynfelin 8 1230.77x
Findon 7 1372.55x
Newbury 7 138.89x
Birmingham 6 3.40x
Hackney London 6 5.10x
Slinfold 6 1090.91x
Westminster St John 6 23.49x
Horsham 5 72.78x
Misson 5 1020.41x
Witton Cum Twambrooks 5 121.36x
Nuthurst 4 677.97x
Tuxford 4 579.71x
Brightside Bierlow 3 7.36x
Hurstpierpoint 3 152.28x
Kensington London 3 2.57x
Llanvihangel Llantarnam 3 103.81x
Lodsworth 3 612.24x
North Chapel 3 526.32x
St George Bloomsbury 3 24.94x
Stisted 3 566.04x
Thakeham 3 769.23x
Hammersmith London 2 3.87x
Littlehampton 2 70.92x
Liverpool 2 1.32x
Shipley 2 250.00x
Storrington 2 206.19x
Sutton 2 27.06x
Whippingham 2 61.54x
Wotton 2 400.00x
Billesdon 1 166.67x
Bolney 1 175.44x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 1 2.58x
Broadwater 1 12.33x
Clerkenwell London 1 2.02x
Effingham 1 238.10x
Halifax 1 3.28x
Handsworth 1 5.73x
Hove 1 6.44x
Hutton Cranswick 1 114.94x
Lambeth 1 0.55x
Portsea 1 1.19x
Royal Navy 1 4.68x
Salford 1 1.37x
Southwick 1 53.48x
St Pancras London 1 0.59x
Tillington 1 156.25x
Warsop Soulkholme 1 434.78x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 12
Sarah 12
Elizabeth 11
Ann 9
Jane 9
Fanny 7
Agnes 4
Alice 4
Catherine 3
Ellen 3
Emily 3
Frances 3
Hannah 3
Charlotte 2
Harriet 2
Ada 1
Alma 1
Alse 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Betsy 1
Blance 1
Cathrin 1
Dinah 1
Edith 1
Eliza 1
Emma 1
Florence 1
Gertrude 1
Janet 1
Joephine 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1
Lillian 1
Lizzie 1
Lucy 1
Margaret 1
Marion 1
Martha 1
May 1
Phoebe 1
Rachell 1
Rose 1
Rosina 1
Sally 1
Sofia 1
Sophia 1
Suhanah 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 19
George 12
John 12
Alfred 5
James 5
Thomas 5
Walter 4
Charles 3
Jesse 3
Albert 2
Edward 2
Henry 2
Luke 2
Rowland 2
Allan 1
Chas. 1
Edmund 1
Edwin 1
Griffith 1
Harry 1
Harvey 1
Isaac 1
Jacob 1
Job 1
Joseph 1
Lenie 1
Lewis 1
M.A. 1
Peter 1
Richard 1
Robert 1

FAQ

Whitington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Whitington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 219 people were recorded with the Whitington surname. That placed it at #12,122 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Whitington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 174 in 2016. That gives Whitington a modern rank of #21,466.

What does the Whitington surname mean?

Locational surname derived from a place name meaning "the white farm" or "white town."

What does the Whitington map show?

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