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What's in a name? White : English/Scottish/Irish Nickname for the man with white hair, or pale skin, from the Middle English whit = white. Robert White Sr's wife Whitehead is an old English and Scottish nickname, that described the man with the fully grey (white) hair, particularly when it was on the head of a man considered too young to be that way. It is derived from Middle English whit = white + heved = head. Occasionally, it is derived as a mistaken translation of the Irish Gaelic name Canavan, incorrectly using the terms ceann = head + ban = white. Whytehead is a variation of the English and Scottish name. See below for more on the Whitehead surname/coat of arms. A Little on the Origin of our Names Around the beginning of the 12th century, most people in Europe had one name with the increase in population, it became awkward to live in villages where there were many people with the same name. There had to be a way of designating who you were referring to. Several ways were a natural development of this need. The first way was to designate a person as belonging to a particular family such as John, William's son. This soon became John Williamson. These endings were used in many countries designated according to their language. The Norwegian and Danish were "sen", the Greek "pulos", Spanish "ez", Finnish "nen". Other countries used prefixes denoting "son" such as the Welsh 'ap", the Scotch and Irish "Mac", the Norman "Fitz", the Irish "O" refers to the grandfather. Another distinction referred to physical or personality characteristics, brought such names as Little, Short, Good, Fair, Goodman, Shy, Stout, Strong, Swift, Lively, Meek, Savage, and Wise. Persons having characteristics of certain animals might be given that name, such as Wolf, Hare, Crow, Hart, Beaver, Fox, Fish, or Bear. Many people were given occupational names: A house builder became Carpenter and grain grinder Miller, a suitmaker Taylor, or Cooper, Baker, Tanner. Other people derived names from locations. The John who lived over the hill became John Overhill, John Vale lived in the valley. John who lived on a stream was John Brook or John River, if he lived on a lake shore he was John Lake. A Bit more on the Whitehead Surname Dun Spiro Spero |