Surname Whitelark - Meaning and Origin

Whitelark: What does the surname Whitelark mean?

The last name Whitelark is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an Old English personal name during Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain in the post-Roman era. The name was associated with a bird known for its white feathers and was referenced in poems and literature depicting its song as melodious and pure.

It is believed that names associated with the white bird gave rise to last names such as Whitelark, commonly found in England and Northern Ireland. In traditional heraldry, a white breast feather is a symbol of lightness, softness, gentleness and purity. Derived from this symbolism, the name Whitelark has been adopted to denote characteristics such as innocence, nobility, humility and charity.

During the Middle Ages, the Whitelark family name was associated with lands held in Cheshire County, where they held a family seat from early times. Records of this family name have been found in surviving medieval documents including Census Records, Parish Records and Maps. Notable bearers of this surname include George Whitelark, an English Lynn fishmonger, and Sir William Whitelark, an 18th century member of the English Parliament.

Today, the surname Whitelark is still used around the world to honor the past and symbolize the strength of humanity through the unwavering traits of honesty and integrity.

Whitelark: Where does the name Whitelark come from?

The last name Whitelark is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, Whitelark is most commonly found in the states of Missouri, California, and Virginia. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Missouri had the largest concentration of individuals with this surname in 2018. But Whitelark is also found in other states across the U.S. such as Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, and Tennessee.

In the United Kingdom, Whitelark is most frequently found in the region of Yorkshire in northern England. This area has many records of individuals with this surname from the 11th century onward. Whitelark is also found in England's North East, East Midlands, and South East regions, as well as Scotland and Wales.

It is also possible to find individuals with the Whitelark surname in other European countries, such as the Netherlands, or further afield, such as Canada. However, these countries usually have a smaller population of people with this last name than the U.S. and U.K.

Regardless of the geographical location, the Whitelark surname typically originates from the English language, with the meaning of “White Meadow”. It is believed to come from an Old English nickname used by an ancestor or relatives of those who share this name today.

Variations of the surname Whitelark

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Whitelark are Whitelarke, Waytelark, Whiteleark, Whitlark, Whetelark, Withlark and Whytlark.

The Whitelark surname is thought to date back to the 12th century and can be found in several countries around the world. It is believed to come from the Middle English word 'whetlere', which means archer. The name was first used by people who made their living by shooting arrows and was often used to describe someone who was an expert marksman.

The earliest recorded use of the Whitelark surname was in 1270, when William Whitelarke was recorded as living in Lincolnshire, England. Since then, the name has been found in various records in England, Scotland and Ireland. In the United States, the name is descended from migrants from England who settled in New England and New York in the 17th century, while some also came with the wave of European migration to the Midwestern and Southern states in the 19th century.

The name has also been found in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in South Africa, Canada and other countries around the world. The different spellings could be a result of migration patterns and local dialects, as the name could be transcribed differently in different areas. In any case, all variants of the name are ultimately derived from the same Middle English word.

Famous people with the name Whitelark

• Alex Whitelark: journalist and researcher with experience in the international development sector.
• Meredyth Whitelark: author and New Thought minister.
• Ben Whitelark: social entrepeneur and founder of ‘The Future Is Now’ initiative.
• Matt Whitelark: Olympic kayaker and silver medalist.
• Sally Whitelark: historian and National Fellow at the Hoover Institution.
• Annette Whitelark: actress and improviser known for roles in television series such as The Affair and The Resident.
• Tyler Whitelark: professional DJ and music producer.
• Jenna Whitelark: fashion designer and founder of the luxury re-commerce platform Novaloo.
• Doug Whitelark: professional skier and three-time world record holder.
• Amy Whitelark: award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Other surnames

Whitelaw