Whyte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Whyte 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 Whyte 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 Whyte family

The surname Whyte 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 Whyte family

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

Whyte Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Whyte family

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

Whyte World Ranking

In the United States, the name Whyte is the 4,460^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Whyte is ranked the 595^th most popular surname with an estimated 6,567 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Whyte is the 353^rd popular surname with an estimated 1,811 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Whyte as 623^rd with 10,587 people. 4

Migration of the Whyte family to Ireland

Some of the Whyte 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.

Whyte migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Whyte Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Whyte, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 5
Nicholas Whyte, aged 30, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1840 5
Frederich Whyte, aged 26, who arrived in St Louis, Missouri in 1842 5
Joseph Whyte, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1845 5
Agnes Bryson Whyte, who arrived in Georgia in 1853 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Whyte migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Whyte Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Whyte, (b. 1793), aged 22, English master mariner who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1826 6
Mr. John Whyte, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia 7
Mr. Andrew Whyte, (b. 1796), aged 35, Scottish farm labourer who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. James Whyte, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elphinstone" on 28th July 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Mary Whyte, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Forfarshire" in 1848 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Whyte migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Whyte Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Whyte, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 11
Mrs. Whyte, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow with 5 children aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 11
Miss Elizabeth Whyte, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Jura" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 23rd September 1858 11
Mr. William Whyte, Scottish settler travelling from Leith aboard the ship 'Melbourne' arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 18th March 1861 11
Miss Catherine Whyte, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Storm Cloud" arriving in Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 30th July 1861 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Whyte (post 1700) +

Ronald McLeod Whyte (1942-2023), American jurist, Senior judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (2009-2023)
Joe Whyte (b. 1961), American actor and voice actor
Scott Whyte (b. 1978), American actor
Ronald Melville Whyte (1941-1989), American playwright, critic, and disability rights activist
William Hollingsworth "Holly" Whyte (1917-1999), American urbanist, organizational analyst, journalist
Zack Whyte (1898-1967), American jazz bandleader
John N. "Jock" Whyte (1921-1998), Scottish professional footballer
Alexander Whyte (1836-1921), Scottish divine
James Whyte (1868-1957), the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin
James Whyte (1820-1882), Scottish-born, Australian politician who served as the sixth Premier of Tasmania
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Whyte family +

The Whyte 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.