UK surname
A locational surname derived from the place name Whitaker, meaning "white field" or "white oak clearing."
In the 1881 census there were 50 people recorded with the Whittiker surname, ranking it #26,587 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 13, ranked #37,278, down from #26,587 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Winwick, Drypool and Barthomley. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Whittiker is 112 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 74.0%.
1881 census count
50
Ranked #26,587
Modern count
13
2016, ranked #37,278
Peak year
1861
112 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Whittiker surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Whittiker surname density by area, 1861 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 | 36 | #26,838 |
| 1861 | historical | 112 | #19,279 |
| 1881 | historical | 50 | #26,587 |
| 1891 | historical | 78 | #27,035 |
| 1901 | historical | 19 | #31,911 |
| 1911 | historical | 19 | #31,416 |
| 1997 | modern | 3 | #38,317 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 5 | #37,872 |
| 2000 | modern | 10 | #37,001 |
| 2001 | modern | 9 | #36,980 |
| 2002 | modern | 8 | #37,206 |
| 2003 | modern | 8 | #37,248 |
| 2004 | modern | 13 | #36,742 |
| 2005 | modern | 11 | #37,065 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 7 | #37,687 |
| 2008 | modern | 8 | #37,597 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 11 | #37,397 |
| 2012 | modern | 16 | #36,897 |
| 2013 | modern | 14 | #37,127 |
| 2014 | modern | 16 | #36,974 |
| 2015 | modern | 13 | #37,251 |
| 2016 | modern | 13 | #37,278 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Winwick, Drypool, Barthomley, Great and Little Totham, Goldhanger, Heybridge, Tolleshunt Major, Tolleshunt Knights, Tolleshunt Dar and Blackburn. 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 | Winwick | Lancashire |
| 2 | Drypool | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 3 | Barthomley | Cheshire |
| 4 | Great and Little Totham, Goldhanger, Heybridge, Tolleshunt Major, Tolleshunt Knights, Tolleshunt Dar | Essex |
| 5 | Blackburn | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Whittiker 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 Whittiker, 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 Whittiker surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Whittiker 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, Whittiker 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 Whittiker is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Whittiker, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Whittiker traces its origins to England, dating back to the medieval period around the 13th and 14th centuries. It is derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning white, and "æcer," meaning field or cultivated land. This etymology suggests that the name originally described someone who lived near or worked on a white field or a bright, open piece of land.
Historical records show various spellings of the surname, including Whittaker, Whittacre, and Whitiker, all of which have appeared in different forms in historical manuscripts and records over the centuries. One of the oldest documented instances is found in the Lancashire poll tax records of 1379, where the name is listed as "de Whyttaker." This suggests that the name may have locational origins, pointing towards Whittaker, a place in Lancashire.
The Domesday Book, written in 1086, does not directly reference the surname Whittiker, but it does mention regions and fields that later might be associated with families taking on this surname. The transition to surnames from place names was gradual, reflecting the growing importance of distinguishing between individuals with similar first names.
One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Thomas Whittaker, born in 1503 in Lancashire. He was known for his contributions to his local community and had a significant influence during his time. Another renowned individual was John Whittaker, a prominent clergyman and antiquarian born in 1735. His scholarly works on ancient British history were highly regarded, and he served as a chaplain at the Manchester Collegiate Church.
Reverend Henry Whittaker, born in 1605, was another historically significant figure. He was known for his dedication to his ministerial duties and his efforts towards the reformation of church practices during a tumultuous religious period in English history. Mary Whittaker, born in 1720, achieved recognition for her literary contributions, particularly her poetry, which resonates with a deep understanding of rural English life.
Finally, Samuel Whittaker, an early 19th-century industrialist born in 1790, played a crucial role in advancing textile manufacturing in Lancashire. His innovative approaches significantly impacted the local economy and set the stage for future industrial advancements in the region.
The surname Whittiker has thus established itself through centuries of English history, weaving itself into the fabric of the country’s social and cultural development. Its variations and the notable individuals carrying the name highlight the enduring legacy and rich heritage associated with Whittiker.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Whittiker 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 31 Whittikers recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.36x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 31 | 5.36x |
| Durham | 6 | 4.14x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.03x |
| Derbyshire | 3 | 3.93x |
| Devon | 2 | 1.97x |
| Cheshire | 1 | 0.93x |
| Lincolnshire | 1 | 1.28x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 0.61x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Burnley in Lancashire leads with 22 Whittikers recorded in 1881 and an index of 451.75x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Burnley | 22 | 451.75x |
| Over Darwen | 5 | 108.23x |
| Chilton | 3 | 666.67x |
| Denby | 3 | 1304.35x |
| Ryhope | 3 | 297.03x |
| Ashton Under Lyne | 2 | 15.82x |
| Doncaster | 2 | 56.66x |
| Plymouth Charles The | 2 | 44.74x |
| Sowerby In Halifax | 2 | 126.58x |
| Bollin Fee | 1 | 208.33x |
| Castleton | 1 | 17.30x |
| Cleckheaton | 1 | 56.18x |
| Moss Side | 1 | 32.89x |
| Raithby In Spilsby | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Wolstanton | 1 | 20.00x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Whittiker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Whittiker surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
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 Whittiker households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 9 |
| Cotton Weaver | 4 |
| Coal Miner | 3 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Cotton Warp Twister | 1 |
| Cotton Waste Dealer | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Farm Labourer | 1 |
| Farmer 22 Acres 1 Boy | 1 |
| Farmer 48 Acres Empl 1 Lab | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housekeeper Dom Serv | 1 |
| Housewife | 1 |
| Labourer (Gen) | 1 |
| Paper Ruler (Printer) | 1 |
| Relieving Officer | 1 |
| School | 1 |
| Serge Weaver (W) | 1 |
| Servant | 1 |
| Worsted Winder | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 50 people were recorded with the Whittiker surname. That placed it at #26,587 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 13 in 2016. That gives Whittiker a modern rank of #37,278.
A locational surname derived from the place name Whitaker, meaning "white field" or "white oak clearing."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Whittiker 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.