Surname Whitlee - Meaning and Origin
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Whitlee: What does the surname Whitlee mean?
The surname Whitlee is derived from the name Whitney which is relatively common across England, Wales, and Ireland. It is an Anglicised version of the Anglo-Saxon name 'hwita leah' which means 'white meadow'. This surname has often been spelt in a variety of ways throughout history, including Whetley, Whitley, Whitlee and Whitlie, although modern usage generally favours the spelling Whitlee.
The family from which the surname Whitlee was derived settled in areas such as the West Midlands in England in the 12th Century. The estate of the Whetleys was originally located in London near the Tower of London. The family crest of the Whitlees was derived from the Whetleys and contains three white roses with gold leaves.
The earliest recorded mention of the name Whitlee is 1273 when a John de Hwitelea was entered on the Hundred Rolls of Berkshire. The Whitlee surname has since been used by several branches of the wider Whitney family, and the name remains in use today particularly in parts of England and Ireland.
Generally, the surname Whitlee has been associated with a sense of modernity, stability, and dependability. Those who hold this surname today could be described as practical, responsible individuals who are reliable and can handle authority. They are also usually strong team players who emphasize fairness in all matters.
Order DNA origin analysisWhitlee: Where does the name Whitlee come from?
The last name Whitlee can be found today in many countries, but is mainly concentrated in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other parts of Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, it is especially prevalent in Scotland and Wales. In the United States, it is most common in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
In the United Kingdom, the last name Whitlee can be traced back to the early 17th century as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac an t-Saoir or Mac an Teir, meaning the son of a carpenter/mason. It is primarily found in the Counties of Ayr, Stirling, and Aberdeenshire in Scotland. In Wales, the Counties of Monmouth, Glamorgan, and Denbigh are the most common locations for the name.
In the United States, records of the last name Whitlee can be found dating back to the early 19th century. The most common states it can be found in are Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York. In Pennsylvania, the name is especially common in the counties of Bucks, Chester and Montgomery. In Virginia, it is mainly located in the northern part of the state, in cities such as Fairfax, Culpepper, and Winchester. In New York, it is more prevalent in the central part, primarily in the Finger Lakes area.
The last name Whitlee is an interesting name, with its origins lying in several different countries across the world. While it is quite common in the United Kingdom, the United States, and parts of Europe, it is unique to individual countries, with each having its own version of the name, adding its own particular flavor and history.
Variations of the surname Whitlee
The surname Whitlee is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac an Fhilidh. It is also spelled as Whitelee, Whitleigh and Macanfhilidh. It is an ancient surname of Irish origin and is one of the oldest recorded surnames in Ireland.
The variants of the name include MacAnfhile, Mac anFhilidh, MacElfeilde, McElfile, McElfealde, Mac Elphild, Mac Ealefillt, Mac Elfed, McElfed and Whiteley.
The surname Whitlee can also be associated with other surnames that come from the same root word ‘Fhilidh’. These surnames include Phillipson, Philbin, Philp, Finlay, Finney, Findlay, Findlater, Findley, Findlayson, Findlater, McKillip, McPhillips and MacVille.
The origin of the surname Whitlee dates back to the 11th century and was derived from the Irish words mac meaning ‘son of’ and a corruption of the pre-rophic Irish name ‘Cathal’, which translates to ‘lord’. It is said to have come from the ancient Irish Gaelic word Fhilidh, which means ‘craftsman’ or ‘maker of tools’.
The surname Whitlee is also found across the different parts of the United Kingdom, with large numbers of families bearing this name in the greatest concentrations being found in the Irish counties of Cork, Kerry, and Donegal, as well as in the Scottish Highlands.
Famous people with the name Whitlee
- Brendan Whitlee: British actor known for roles in ITV's Vera and Hollyoaks and BBC's Doctors.
- Tate Whitlee: American actor who is best known for his roles in television series such as American Housewife and Just Add Magic.
- Simon Whitlee: British actor known for roles in BBC's My Family and the film The Greenaway Letters.
- James Whitlee: British actor known for his roles in BBC productions Rumpole of the Bailey and Red Dwarf.
- Avery Whitlee: American TV actress best known for appearances in The Office, Grey's Anatomy, and CSI.
- Jacob Whitlee: American musician and singer known for his solo albums, including Dust, Water, and Clay.
- Bill Whitlee: British actor known for his leading role on the British soap Emmerdale.
- Edie Whitlee: American actress who has starred in films like Ghostbusters (2016) and Blockers (2018).
- Harriet Whitlee: British actress, model and voice actor, known for her work on Amazon's original series The Wilds.
- Emma Whitlee: British theatre, film and television actress, who appeared in Coronation Street and Poldark.