MacWhite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished MacWhite family. Originally, the Scottish people were known only by a single name. Scottish surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name MacWhite is a nickname type of surname for a pale or fair haired person. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word "hwit," meaning "white."

Early Origins of the MacWhite family

The surname MacWhite was first found in at Coldingham, a village in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where "Uuiaett Hwite" witnessed King Eadgar's charter of Coldingham, sometime between the years 1097 and 1107. It appears the name may have actually predated the Norman invasion as Old English personal names such as "Huita, Huuita, Hwita" are known to have predated 1066. One Old English charter dated before 925 (the Cartularium Saxonica), there is a "Wulfnoo hwita" listed. Whyte was also used as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic MacGhillebhain. By the mid 12th century, however, most of the bearers of this name in Scotland were of Norman descent. They held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the MacWhite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacWhite research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1236, 1376, 1426, 1658 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacWhite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacWhite Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: White, Whyte, Wight and others.

Early Notables of the MacWhite family

More information is included under the topic Early MacWhite Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacWhite family to Ireland

Some of the MacWhite family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacWhite family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William White and his wife Susannah, who immigrated to Plymouth in 1620 with their sons Resolve and Peregrine (who was born in Cape Cod Harbour on board the Mayflower in 1620.

The MacWhite Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Labore parta
Motto Translation: Acquired by work.