Surname Whitelaw - Meaning and Origin

Whitelaw: What does the surname Whitelaw mean?

The last name Whitelaw is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from when families lived in a place that was known by the Old English name "Hwitelawe" which means "white hill". This name could have been topographical, provided to someone who lived near a white hill, or locational, given to someone who hailed from a place named Whitelaw. The surname Whitelaw belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. This surname was often adopted by individuals who originated from Whitelaw located in several places in England and Scotland. The name predates the Norman conquest and has been present in English records since early medieval times. Like many surnames, over the centuries, it may have undergone variations in spelling.

Whitelaw: Where does the name Whitelaw come from?

The Whitelaw surname originated from the pre 7th century Old English words "hwit" meaning white, and "hlaw" meaning a hill, both describing someone who lived by a white or chalky hill. This places its origin in the Anglo-Saxon era, in the northern English-Scottish borderlands.

The surname’s first written reference dates back to the 13th century in Scotland showing early connections to this region. Given this history, the Whitelaw surname is common among those of Scottish descent, and populations in Scotland and Northern England. It can also be found in Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand due to migration in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. However, the highest frequency remains in the United Kingdom.

Like other surnames, it's not confined to the country of origin due its spread through the English-speaking world in modern times. Some Whitelaws changed their name upon emigration, leading to different variations of the surname.

Variations of the surname Whitelaw

The surname Whitelaw is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an ancient feudal territory in Berwickshire on the East coast of Scotland. It is classified as a habitational name derived from a place name, specifically "hwit" (white) and "hlaw" (hill). Over time, as the surname disseminated across regions, its spelling underwent various changes due to phonetic pronunciations, literacy levels, and regional dialect influences.

Several alternative spellings and variations of the surname Whitelaw can be found including Whytelaw, Whitlaw, Whitloe, Whitlow, Whittle, and Wittle. Some less common variants are Whytloe and Whiteley.

The surname Whitelaw might also have branched into surnames with similar meanings in different languages or dialects. For example, the German surname Weissberg (White Mountain) or the French surname Blanclec (White Hill) might be similar in origin.

It's also important to remember that in the history of surnames, numerous factors could contribute to the development of variations, including local dialects and accents, different literacy levels among populations, and even simple clerical errors. This is why a single surname may have many variants today.

Famous people with the name Whitelaw

• William Whitelaw: British politician, home secretary and deputy Prime Minister 1969–1974.
• Rosemary Whitelaw: British actress, known for appearing in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope (1977).
• Thomas Whitelaw: American pioneer, explorer of the Central and Northern Plains of the United States and founder of Fort Collins, Colorado in the 1850s.
• Alexander Whitelaw: British minister and author of books on church history and biblical criticism.
• Henry Whitelaw: Canadian physician, author, professor and founder of the University of Toronto Medical School.
• Hubert Whitelaw: British labor union leader and politician who served as secretary for the National Union of Railwaymen.
• Charles Whitelaw: American politician, diplomat, and lawyer who served as U.S. ambassador to Panama.
• Jack Whitelaw: British academic and political theorist, best known for his work on the effects of globalisation.
• Bruce Whitelaw: American businessman who founded the Whitelaw Hotel Corporation.
• William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw: British Conservative politician, Home Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister 1969–1974.

Other surnames

WhitelarkWhitelockWhitelockeWhitely