Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Whitehurst

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Whitehurst?

The surname Whitehurst has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from a place name meaning "white hurst" or "clear wood". In Old English, "hwit" means white, "heorot" or "hreos" means hurst (a small forest or wooded area) or hyrst (a ridge of high ground), hence the term "Whitehurst" could refer to a settlement on a clear, open hillside. The name is most common in England and has been found in various spellings such as Whithehirst, Whitehirst, and Whithurst throughout history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Whitehurst

The meaning and origin of the last name Whitehurst

The surname Whitehurst is an Anglo-Saxon name derived from Old English components 'hwīt' (meaning "white") and 'hūrst' (meaning "hedge" or "thorny enclosure"). It likely originated as a topographical name for someone who lived by a white hedge, fence, or enclosure. Over time, the spelling has evolved, with variations such as Wightorste, Whithehurst, and Whitehurst appearing in various records from England during the Middle Ages. The name is common in English-speaking countries due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which brought an influx of French and Flemish settlers to England and led to the widespread adoption of surnames throughout the British Isles.

Geographical distribution of the last name Whitehurst

The surname Whitehurst has a significant presence primarily in English-speaking countries due to its Anglo-Saxon roots. It is most frequent in the United States, where it is found across various regions, with high concentrations in the South and Midwest states like Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri. In England, the name is particularly common in the counties of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Durham. Whitehurst is also observed in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting the historical migration patterns of English settlers. The name's global dispersion can be attributed to the emigration waves during colonial periods and later industrial expansion, leading to its representation in diverse communities worldwide.

Variants and spellings of the last name Whitehurst

The surname Whitehurst has several variations and spellings due to historical spelling inconsistencies and regional differences. Some of these variants include Whithurst, Whitheirst, Wittehurst, Whiteurst, Whiteherst, Whiteharst, and Whithearst. These variations primarily stem from the addition, omission, or alteration of letters such as "w," "h," and "e" in different historical documents and records. While Whitehurst is the most common spelling today, these alternative spellings serve as interesting insights into the name's evolution over time.

Famous people with the last name Whitehurst

Notable individuals with the surname Whitehurst include:

1. John Whitehurst (1713-1788), an English clockmaker and mathematician who was the first Astronomer Royal for Queen Charlotte. He is best known for his work on longitude at sea, which led to improvements in marine navigation.

2. Steve Whitehurst (born 1964), a former professional American football player who played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He spent most of his career with the New York Giants and was part of their Super Bowl-winning team in 1987.

3. Michael Whitehurst (born 1985), an English cricketer who played for Sussex County Cricket Club as a right-handed batsman and occasional leg spin bowler between 2006 and 2014. He also represented the England Under-19 team in international cricket.

4. John Whitehurst (born 1953), an American artist known for his large-scale, site-specific installations, sculptures, and land art. His works have been exhibited internationally and can be found in numerous public collections.

5. William Whitehurst (1718-1788), an English inventor who is credited with designing the first practical steam engine, which was used for pumping water out of mines. This invention laid the foundation for the development of the steam engine as a power source in industries and transportation.

Genealogical research on the last name Whitehurst

The surname Whitehurst originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a white hurst or enclosure, derived from the Old English "hwit," meaning white, and "hyrst," meaning hurst or woody height. The earliest recorded instance of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Whitirheste.

Throughout history, various branches of the Whitehurst family have been established across England, with notable lineages in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. One well-documented lineage can be traced back to a William Whitehurst who lived in Lincolnshire during the 13th century. Another prominent branch hails from Lancashire and was represented by several individuals who played crucial roles in local government, including Richard Whitehurst, who served as Mayor of Manchester in 1429.

The name also spread to North America with early settlers like Thomas Whitehurst, who arrived in Virginia in 1620. The family later expanded across the colonies, eventually settling throughout the United States and Canada.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Whibi

Last name • surnames > whibi

The last name "Whibi" is of Hebrew origin. It is a variant of the surname "Libi," which means "my heart" and is often used as a term of endearment or to refer to a loved one.

#2 Whibley

Last name • surnames > whibley

The last name "Whibley" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Wibel", which means "withy-tree farm" or "withy-grove farm". The addition of the "-e...

#3 Whidul jaman

Last name • surnames > whidul-jaman

The origin of the last name Whidul Jaman is unclear and may be of non-English origin. It does not appear to have a widely known etymology in English-speaking countries.

#4 While

Last name • surnames > while

The surname "While" is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "hwil," meaning "a while" or "for a time." It is likely to have originally been a nickname for som...

#5 Whinez

Last name • surnames > whinez

The last name Whinez is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "wynn" or "wine," meaning friend or happiness, combined with the suffix "-ez" indicating descent ...

#6 Whitacre

Last name • surnames > whitacre

The surname Whitacre is of English origin, more specifically from the Northwest region. It is a habitation name from any of several places called Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire and N...

#7 White bird

Last name • surnames > white-bird

The surname White Bird is of Native American origin, derived from the Miwok and Mohican tribes. It signifies a person with physical or spiritual qualities associated with white bir...

#8 White fox

Last name • surnames > white-fox

The last name "White Fox" likely originated as a combination of two separate English surnames commonly associated with animals and colors. "White" is a common English surname deriv...

#9 White nana

Last name • surnames > white-nana

The last name "White" originates from England and can be a descriptive or occupational surname, referring to someone with fair or pale skin or hair. The last name "Nana" is of Afri...

#10 Whitealuminium

Last name • surnames > whitealuminium

The surname "Whitealuminium" likely originated as a combination of the words "white" and "aluminium," possibly as a surname created for individuals working in the aluminium industr...

#11 Whiteline

Last name • surnames > whiteline

The surname Whiteline is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words "hwit," meaning "white," and "lēah," meaning "forest clearing." It likely originally referred ...

#12 Whitening

Last name • surnames > whitening

The surname "Whitening" is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "hwit," meaning white, and the suffix "-ing," indicating a connection or association. It likely orig...

#13 Whitlam

Last name • surnames > whitlam

The surname Whitlam is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Whitelan", composed of the elements "hwit", meaning white, and "lan", meaning long. The ...

#14 Whitnall

Last name • surnames > whitnall

The surname Whitnall is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Hwita" meaning "white," and the Old English word "halh" meaning "nook" or "recess." The...

#15 Whitney

Last name • surnames > whitney

The surname Whitney is of Old English origin, derived from a place name meaning "wide island" or "island with wide pasture lands." It was originally a topographic name for someone ...