Whitridge

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family name of English origin carried by various people, particularly in England and the United States
2. An English-derived surname borne by numerous individuals, especially in the United States
3. A surname of English origin used by many families, most often found in America and Britain

Etymology: In parts of northern England and Scotland, the rowan tree has been called by names such as "whitrick" and "whitrack." This spelling, "whitridge," is most likely a variant of the same dialect word. The names trace back to Old Norse "hvítreynir," from "hvítr," meaning "white," and "reynir," the rowan. The "white" probably refers to the pale undersides of the rowan's leaves, though the exact reason is uncertain. Norse settlers carried the tree's name into the north of Britain, where it survived in local speech long after the language of the settlers had faded. Because the word was spoken rather than written for centuries, its spelling varied from region to region, which is why one tree can appear under several forms in old records.