This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Whitelaw family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Whitelaw Family History

Whitelaw Surname Meaning

Scottish (Lanarkshire and Midlothian): habitational name from either or both places called Whitelaw in Morebattle and Bowden (Roxburghshire) named with Old English hwīt ‘white’ + hlāw ‘mound hill’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Whitelaw family from?

You can see how Whitelaw families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Whitelaw family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Whitelaw families were found in and Scotland in 1841. In 1891 there were 88 Whitelaw families living in Northumberland. This was about 21% of all the recorded Whitelaw's in United Kingdom. Northumberland had the highest population of Whitelaw families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Whitelaw surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Whitelaw ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, General Labourer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Whitelaw. 24% of Whitelaw men worked as a General Labourer and 78% of Whitelaw women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Whitelaw were Railway Clerk and Household Duties.

View Census Data for Whitelaw | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • General Labourer
    24%
  • Builder Handyman
    8%
  • Builders Labourer
    8%
  • Railway Clerk
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    78%
  • Private Means
    5%
  • Unpaid Domestic
    3%
  • Household Duties
    2%

What Whitelaw family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 35,000 census records available for the last name Whitelaw. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Whitelaw census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Whitelaw

Passenger Lists

There are 7,000 immigration records available for the last name Whitelaw. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Whitelaw immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 3,000 military records available for the last name Whitelaw. For the veterans among your Whitelaw ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Whitelaw military records

You've only scratched the surface of Whitelaw family history

Discover More

What is the average Whitelaw lifespan?

Between 1957 and 2004, in the United States, Whitelaw life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1961, and highest in 1994. The average life expectancy for Whitelaw in 1957 was 63, and 66 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Whitelaw

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Whitelaw ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Whitelaw family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial