The distinguished surname White came from England to Ireland in several different waves, beginning with the Anglo- Norman invasion of the 12th century. As an Irish name, this name has been used as a translation of various Gaelic names incorporating the Gaelic word, "bán," which means "white."
What nationality is the white name?
White is a nickname meaning 'of fair complexion', from a person with pale skin. Variants include Whyte. This name is of Anglo-Saxon descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout the above islands.
What is the Irish for white?
The Irish word for white is 'bán' and thus names such as Bane or Bawn sometimes also had their surnames translated to 'White'. In the north of Ireland, many Whites were of Scottish extraction and the surname was a translation of the Highland Gaelic 'Mac Gille Bhain', 'son of the fair-haired servant or youth'.
Is white a Viking name?
In the single spellings of White or Wita, it appears in the very earliest surviving registers such as the famous Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of the pre 9th century a.d. Whilst translating as white, the early name referred either to a baby, one who was "unblemished", or it may have been for some nameholders an ethnic term ...
What is the heritage of the last name White?
White Family History White is a nickname meaning 'of fair complexion', from a person with pale skin. Variants include Whyte. This name is of Anglo-Saxon descent spreading to the Celtic countries of Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts throughout the above islands.
Is white a Scottish name?
As a Scottish and Irish surname it has been widely used as a translation of the many Gaelic names based on bán 'white' (see Bain 1) or fionn 'fair' (see Finn 1). ... There has also been some confusion with Wight.
How common is last name white?
White is the 16th most common surname in England, the 20th most common last name in America, and the 10th most popular name in Australia.Apr 20, 2019