Explore the Family Name Whitty
The meaning of Whitty
English: 1. topographic name denoting a ‘dweller by the white hedge or the white (forest) enclosure’, from Middle English whit ‘white’ (Old English hwīt) + heie ‘hedge, enclosure’ (Old English (ge)hæg and Old French haie) perhaps in reference to whitethorn (hawthorn) hedging. This English name has been recorded in Ireland (Wexford) since the 13th century. It has been Gaelicized as de Faoite, see also White. 2. nickname from Middle English whit ‘white’ + eie ‘eye’ (Old English hwīt + ēage). Compare Blackie 2 and Greeney. 3. variant of Witty, with which this surname may have been confused.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Whitty in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname "Whitty" saw a minor change in its ranking in terms of popularity between 2000 and 2010. In 2000, it ranked 18,755, while in 2010, it slid slightly to rank 19,019. This represents a relatively small decline of 1.41% over the decade. However, the count of individuals with the Whitty surname increased by 5.92%, from 1,352 in 2000 to 1,432 in 2010. The proportion per 100,000 people remained fairly steady, seeing only a slight decrease of 2% from 0.5 in 2000 to 0.49 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #18,755 | #19,019 | -1.41% |
| Count | 1,352 | 1,432 | 5.92% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.5 | 0.49 | -2% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Whitty
When examining the ethnic identity associated with the surname Whitty, the Decennial U.S. Census data reveals some shifts between 2000 and 2010. While the majority of individuals with this surname identified as White (78.62% in 2000 to 72.91% in 2010), there was a noticeable increase in those identifying as Black (from 17.90% in 2000 to 21.79% in 2010). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the proportion identifying as Hispanic, jumping from 0.67% to 1.54%. The census also recorded an emergence of individuals with the Whitty surname identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian and Alaskan Native, which wasn’t present in 2000. The category of 'Two or more races' also saw an increase, going from 1.85% to 2.65%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 78.62% | 72.91% | -7.26% |
| Black | 17.9% | 21.79% | 21.73% |
| Two or More Races | 1.85% | 2.65% | 43.24% |
| Hispanic | 0.67% | 1.54% | 129.85% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.77% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0.35% | 0% |