Explore the Family Name Whittlesey
The meaning of Whittlesey
English (Cambridgeshire): habitational name from Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire, named from the Old English personal name Witel (genitive Witles) + Old English ēg ‘island’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Whittlesey in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Whittlesey has seen a slight decrease in popularity over the past decade. In 2000, Whittlesey was ranked as the 22,612th most common surname in the United States, with a count of 1,061 bearers. However, by 2010, its rank had dropped to 24,554, and the number of individuals with this name had decreased to 1,018. This represents a change in rank and count of -8.59% and -4.05% respectively. Additionally, the proportion per 100,000 people also lowered from 0.39 in 2000 to 0.35 in 2010, a decrease of -10.26%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #22,612 | #24,554 | -8.59% |
| Count | 1,061 | 1,018 | -4.05% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.39 | 0.35 | -10.26% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Whittlesey
In terms of ethnic identity, the Whittlesey surname is primarily associated with individuals identifying as White, according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, 87.75% of those with the surname identified as White, although this figure dropped slightly to 84.77% by 2010. Significant changes were observed among those identifying as Black or bearing two or more races. In 2000, 8.58% of Whittleseys identified as Black, a figure that rose to 9.92% by 2010. Similarly, bearers identifying as having two or more races increased from 1.51% to 2.55%. Conversely, the percentage of Whittleseys who identify as Hispanic fell from 1.70% in 2000 to 1.28% in 2010. There were no recorded instances of individuals with this surname identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander or American Indian and Alaskan Native.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 87.75% | 84.77% | -3.4% |
| Black | 8.58% | 9.92% | 15.62% |
| Two or More Races | 1.51% | 2.55% | 68.87% |
| Hispanic | 1.7% | 1.28% | -24.71% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |