Origin of the surname Whitby

This surname of English origin is a locational name either from the port in Northern Yorkshire deriving from the Old Norse 'huitr' meaning place named Whitby in Cheshire coming from the Old English pre 7th Century 'hwit' meaning 'white' (i.e., stone built) plus 'burh' 'manor-house' or 'fortified place'. The name dates back to the late 13th Century, (see below). Further recordings include one Robertus de Whytby (1379) 'The Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire'. Variations in the idiom of the spelling include Witby, Whitbie, Whitbye.

One Agnes Whitbey was christened on June 3rd 1563 at Frodsham, Cheshire and Dorothie Whitbye was christened at Stokesley, Yorkshire on January 1577. One Richard Whitby was recorded as living in Virginia in 1623 having emigrated to the New World. Daniel Whitby (1638 - 1726) received a B.A., at Trinity College, Oxfordshire in 1657 and an M.A., in 1660. He later became bishop of Salisbury in 1668. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ricardus de Whiteby, which was dated 1272, 'Register of the Freeman of the City of York', during the reign of King Edward 1, 'The Hammer of the Scots', 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Whitby. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname whitby is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of whitby. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of whitby.

The surname Whitby around the world

It is common for surnames like whitby to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.

History of Whitby

The historical journey of the surname whitby can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of whitby. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname whitby.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname whitby, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.

Notable Figures Named Whitby

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all whitbys who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. If you or someone you know bears the surname whitby, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname whitby who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Whitby and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname whitby. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of whitby.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of whitby, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Whitby