Summary

Surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word 'whit', meaning 'white', and the occupational suffix 'aker', meaning 'maker' or 'worker'. Commonly associated with the meaning 'white field'. Often found in historical references and records, dating back to the 13th century.
There are
56616
Whitakers in the USA
Whitaker is the
596th
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Whitaker

ForestWhitaker

Forest Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in movies such as 'The Last King of Scotland' and 'Bird.'

JamesWhitaker

James Whitaker Wright was an English company promoter and swindler who was involved in numerous financial scandals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

PaulWhitaker

Paul Whitaker is a famous Australian cricket player who represented Australia in numerous international matches as a wicket-keeper.

BethMcCarthy-Miller

Beth McCarthy-Miller is an American television director and producer known for her work on popular comedy shows like 'Saturday Night Live' and '30 Rock.'

SarahWhitaker

Sarah Whitaker is a British journalist and television presenter known for her work on the BBC current affairs program, 'Newsnight.'

IanWhitaker

Ian Whitaker is a Canadian astronomer and astrophysicist known for his research on black holes and active galaxies.

JuanWhitaker

Juan Whitaker is an American film and television actor known for his role as 'J.R. Chandler' on the soap opera 'All My Children.'

KathleenWhitaker

Kathleen Whitaker is an American jewelry designer known for her minimalist and modern designs incorporating materials such as gold and pearls.

MarlaWhitaker

Marla Whitaker is an American mathematician and computer scientist known for her contributions to the field of computational complexity theory.

RobertWhitaker

Robert Whitaker is an American journalist and author who has written extensively about the pharmaceutical industry's influence on mental health treatments.

Whitaker Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Whitaker' is of English origin and is occupational in nature. It derives from the Middle English word 'whitacre,' meaning 'white field' or 'wheat field.' The name likely originated as a locational surname for someone who lived near or worked in a white or wheat field.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Whitaker' is most commonly found in the United States, especially in states like Texas, California, and North Carolina. It is also present in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Whitaker' include 'Whiteaker,' 'White,' 'Whitacker,' 'Whitacare,' 'Whittaker,' 'Witaker,' 'Whitiker,' 'Whitticker,' and 'Whittacker.'
Migration and ImmigrationPeople with the surname 'Whitaker' have migrated and immigrated to various countries, particularly during periods of British colonization and global exploration. The name can be found among early settlers in North America and other English-speaking regions.