Whitaker (also Whittaker) is a surname of English and Scottish origin, meaning the white acre, also spelled " Whittaker" and " Whitacre." Notable people with the surname include:

People with the name

* The

Whitaker iron family During the 19th and 20th centuries, several members of the Whitaker family and related families made important contributions to the American iron and steel industry. First generation * Joseph Whitaker I (1755–1838) was the son of a Leeds cloth ...

- a family important in the iron and steel industry in 19th and 20th century America *

A. J. Whitaker Ayana Jean "A.J." Whitaker Sinclair (born August 16, 1992) is an American professional volleyball player for Pallavolo Hermaea of the Italian Italian Women's 2 Volleyball League, Serie A2. She played collegiate volleyball at Cal State Fullerton ...

(''Ayana Jean Whitaker''; born 1992), American volleyball player *

Alexander Whitaker Alexander Whitaker (1585–1616) was an English Anglican theologian who settled in North America in Virginia Colony in 1611 and established two churches near the Jamestown colony. He was also known as "The Apostle of Virginia" by contemporaries ...

(1585–1616), American religious leader * Amoret Whitaker, forensic entomologist * Ann Whitaker, American physicist *

Anthony Whitaker Anthony Hume Whitaker (5 September 1944 – 20 February 2014) was a New Zealand herpetologist, contributing a 50-year career of fieldwork, pioneering research and species discoveries. His is still the largest collection of reptile and amphibi ...

(1944–2014), New Zealand herpetologist * Ayton Whitaker (1916–1999), British producer and director of radio, film and television * Arthur Luther Whitaker (1921–2007), American minister, professor, psychologist, and sociologist * Benjamin Whitaker (disambiguation) * Berry Whitaker (1890–1984), American football college coach *

Bill Whitaker (journalist) Bill Whitaker (born August 26, 1951) is an American television journalist and a correspondent for the CBS News program ''60 Minutes''. Early life and education Whitaker was born in Philadelphia, on August 26, 1951. He graduated from Hobart Co ...

(born 1951), American television journalist * Billy Whitaker (1923–1995), English football defender * Brandon Whitaker (born 1985), Canadian football running back *

Brian Whitaker Brian Whitaker (sometimes credited as Brian Whittaker; born 13 June 1947) is a British journalist and writer. Whitaker earned a degree in Arabic studies at the University of Westminster and Latin (BA Hons) at the University of Birmingham. He ...

, British journalist * Candi Whitaker (born 1980), American college basketball coach *

Carl Whitaker Carl Alanson Whitaker (1912–1995) was an American physician and psychotherapy pioneer family therapist. "Carl Whitaker was one of the founding generation of family therapists who broke the rules of the psychotherapeutic orthodoxies of the t ...

(1912–1985), American therapist * Carol Whitaker (born 1982), Canadian curler *

Charles Whitaker Charles Whitaker (c. 1642–1715) was twice M.P. for Ipswich Ipswich () is a port town and Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough in Suffolk, England. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury ...

(c. 1642 – 1715), English politician *

Chico Whitaker Francisco Whitaker Ferreira (born 1931), known as Chico Ferreira, is a Brazilian architect, politician, and social activist. A devout Roman Catholic, Whitaker inspires his work in the liberation theology, while maintaining close ties with the Catho ...

(born 1931), Brazilian social-justice advocate *

Chris Whitaker Chris Whitaker (born 19 October 1974) is an Australian professional rugby union coach and former international player. he is head coach of the Sydney Rays in Australia's National Rugby Championship, and the interim head coach of Super Rugby si ...

(born 1974), Australian rugby union player * Colin Whitaker (1932–2015), English football left winger * Corinne Whitaker (born 1934), American digital artist * Cuthbert Whitaker (1873–1950), editor of ''Whitaker's Almanack'' *

Danny Whitaker Daniel Phillip Whitaker (born 14 November 1980) is an English former professional football player and manager who is a coach at club Macclesfield. A former Manchester United Academy player, Whitaker turned professional with Macclesfield Town ...

(born 1980), English footballer *

Danta Whitaker Danta Whitaker (March 14, 1964 – March 23, 2020) was an American professional football tight end. The New York Giants selected him in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL draft. He played college football at Mississippi Valley State. Whitaker a ...

(born 1964), American football tight end * David Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Denis Whitaker (1915–2001), Canadian general *

Denzel Whitaker Denzel Dominique Whitaker (born June 15, 1990) is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor, he acted in the films ''Training Day'' (2001) and '' The Ant Bully'' (2006) before portraying James Farmer Jr. in '' The Great Debaters' ...

(born 1990), American actor *

Deonce Whitaker Deonce Terrell Whitaker (born October 25, 1978) is a former running back in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the BC Lions, Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played college football for the San Jose State Spartans. ...

(born 1978), Canadian football running back *

Duane Whitaker Nathan Duane Whitaker Jr. (born June 23, 1959) is an American character actor. Early life Whitaker was born in Abilene, Texas, the oldest child of Nathan Duane Whitaker Sr. and Barbara Ella Hudson, a nurse. He has two younger sisters, both bor ...

(born 1959), American actor * Ed Whitaker (1938–2014), American stock car team owner * Edward Whitaker (1660–1735), Royal Navy officer * Edward W. Whitaker (1841–1922), Union Army officer during the American Civil War, Medal of Honor recipient *

Ellen Whitaker Ellen Whitaker (born 5 March 1986) is an English show jumping rider, currently ranked 191 on the FEI riders Longines Ranking list in July 2022. Career Competing since the age of 5, Whitaker has had much experience in the equestrian world an ...

(born 1986), English show jumping rider *

Elizabeth Raffald Elizabeth Raffald (; 1733 – 19 April 1781) was an English author, innovator and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Doncaster, Yorkshire, Raffald went into domestic service for fifteen years, ending as the housekeeper to the Warburton baron ...

(née ''Whitaker''; 1733–1781), English businesswoman, author of ''The Experienced English Housekeeper'' cookery book * Elsie Whitaker Martinez (1890–1984), daughter of Herman Whitaker * Eric Whitaker (disambiguation) * Evelyn Whitaker (1844–1929), children's writer * Ewen Whitaker (1922–2016), British-American astronomer *

Forest Whitaker Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, filmmaker, and activist. His accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Best Actor Award at the ...

(born 1961), American actor * Francis Whitaker (1906–1999), American blacksmith * Franklin Whitaker (died 1891), American politician * Frederic Whitaker (1891–1980), American watercolorist * Frederick Whitaker (disambiguation) * George Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Harold Whitaker (1920–2013), British animator * Henry Whitaker (c. 1549 – 1589), English politician, Member of Parliament for Westbury (1586–1588) * Henry Whitaker (c. 1622 – 1695), English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury (1659, 1661–1679) * Henry C. Whitaker (born 1978), Florida Solicitor General * Herman Whitaker (1867–1919), American writer *

Hugh Whitaker Hugh Whitaker (born 18 May 1961) is an English musician and the former drummer for the British indie rock band The Housemartins. He replaced original drummer Chris Lang and drummed for the band's first album, ''London 0 Hull 4'', and its attend ...

(born 1961), British rock drummer *

Jack Whitaker John Francis Whitaker (May 18, 1924 – August 18, 2019) was an American sportscaster who worked for both CBS and ABC. Whitaker was a decorated army veteran of World War II. He fought in the Normandy Campaign and was wounded by an artillery ...

(1924–2019), American sportscaster * James Whitaker (disambiguation) *

Janet Whitaker, Baroness Whitaker Janet Alison Whitaker, Baroness Whitaker (born 20 February 1936) is a British politician with the Labour Party. Born Janet Alison Stewart, she is the daughter of Alan Harrison Stewart and Ella Stewart (née Saunders). She was educated at Not ...

(born 1936), British Labour politician *

Jared Whitaker Jared Irwin Whitaker (May 4, 1818May 3, 1884) was a Georgia newspaperman, publisher of '' the Daily Intelligencer'' from 1864 to 1871, and earlier served as a politician. Defeating a three-term incumbent to become the 14th Mayor of Atlanta, Geo ...

(1818–1884), mayor of Atlanta, Georgia * Jason Whitaker (born 1977), American football player *

Jeremiah Whitaker Jeremiah Whitaker (1599–1654) was an English Puritan clergyman, and important member of the Westminster Assembly. Life He was born at Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1599. After being educated at the grammar school there under the Rev. Philip Jack, he ...

(1599–1654), English Puritan clergyman, member of the Westminster Assembly *

Jim Whitaker Norris J. "Jim" Whitaker (born September 30, 1950) is an American politician of the Republican Party who served as mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, from 2003 to 2009. Prior to his mayoral term, Whitaker served in the Alaska Ho ...

(''Norris J. Whitaker''; born 1950), American politician, Mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska (2003–2009) * Joel Whitaker (1877–1947), physician and college football player and coach * John Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Joseph Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Kati Whitaker, British radio and TV journalist * Kevin Whitaker (born 1957), American diplomat *

Lance Whitaker Lance Whitaker (born May 29, 1971) is an American former professional boxer. As an amateur in the super heavyweight division, he won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan American Games. Nicknamed "Mount", or more recently "Goofi", Whitaker was known f ...

(born 1971), heavyweight boxer * Laurence Whitaker (c. 1578 – 1654), English politician *

Lawrence Whitaker (game designer) Lawrence Whitaker is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career Lawrence Whitaker had worked on Chaosium fanzines. Whitaker gained experience with the ''Basic Role-Playing'' system of ''RuneQuest'' while working on th ...

, American role-playing game designer * Lang Whitaker, American sportswriter * Lily C. Whitaker (1850–1932), American educator, writer; daughter of Mary Scrimzeour Whitaker *

Lou Whitaker Louis Rodman Whitaker Jr. (born May 12, 1957), nicknamed "Sweet Lou", is an American former professional baseball second baseman. Whitaker spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. From 1977 to 1995, he appeared in 2,390 games for the Tig ...

(born 1957), American baseball player * Lucian "Skippy" Whitaker (1930–1990), American basketball player *

Lyman Whitaker Lyman Whitaker is an American sculptor working in southern Utah. Whitaker has been a working sculptor for more than 50 years and is known for his kinetic sculpture Kinetic art is art from any medium that contains movement perceivable by ...

, American sculptor * Mabel Whitaker (1884–1976), New Zealand teacher and local historian * Maria do Céu Whitaker Poças,

Céu Maria do Céu Whitaker Poças (born 17 April 1980), known professionally by the mononym Céu (), is a Brazilian singer-songwriter whose first American album was released on the Six Degrees Records label in April 2007. Early life and educati ...

, Brazilian singer *

Marjorie Whitaker Marjorie Olive Whitaker, ''née'' Taylor (23 September 1895, Bradford – 7 January 1976, Skipton), better known under her pseudonym Malachi Whitaker, was an English writer, noted for her short stories and an autobiography. She wrote nearly 100 sto ...

(better known as ''Malachi Whitaker''; 1895–1976) * Mark Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Martin Whitaker, British businessman *

Martin D. Whitaker Martin Dewey Whitaker (June 29, 1902 – August 31, 1960) was an American physicist who was the first director of the Clinton Laboratories (now the Oak Ridge National Laboratory) during World War II. He served as president of Lehigh University fr ...

(1902–1960), American physicist * Matthew Whitaker (disambiguation) **

Matthew Whitaker Matthew George Whitaker (born October 29, 1969) is an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat serving as the 26th List of United States permanent representatives to NATO, United States permanent representative to NATO since 2025 in the Second ...

, acting U.S. Attorney General (born 1969) **

Matthew Whitaker (pianist) Matthew Whitaker (born April 3, 2001) is an American jazz pianist. Blind since birth, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, where, at 10, he was the opening performer for Ste ...

(born 2001), American jazz pianist ** Matthew C. Whitaker, American historian * Mary Scrimzeour Whitaker (1820–1906), American author; mother of Lily C. Whitaker * Meade Whitaker (1919–2005), United States Tax Court judge *

Michael Whitaker Michael Whitaker (born 17 March 1960) is a British Olympic equestrian rider, who competes in the sport of show jumping. He was ranked 5th by the British Showjumping Association in March 2014. Career Younger brother of John Whitaker, Mich ...

(born 1960), British equestrian rider, *

Mike Whitaker (swimmer) Mike Whitaker (born 8 November 1951) is a Canadian former breaststroke swimmer. He competed in two events at the 1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and officially branded ...

(born 1951), Canadian Olympic swimmer * Milton C. Whitaker (1870–1963), American chemist * Neil Whitaker (1931–2008), Australian rules footballer * Nelson E. Whitaker (1839–1909), President of the West Virginia Senate 1897–1899 * Nick Whitaker (born 1988), American actor *

Norman T. Whitaker Norman Tweed Whitaker (April 9, 1890 – May 20, 1975) was an Americans, American International Master of chess, a lawyer, a civil servant, and a chess author. He was convicted of several crimes, was disbarred from the practice of law, and serv ...

(1890–1975), International Master of chess * O'Kelley Whitaker (1926–2015), bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York (1983–1992) *

Ozi William Whitaker Ozi William Whitaker (May 10, 1830 – February 9, 1911) was a leading evangelical in the Episcopal Church who became missionary bishop of Nevada and Arizona, then coadjutor and eventually the 5th diocesan bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Penns ...

(1830–1911), bishop of the Episcopal Church * Pat Whitaker (1865–1902), Major League Baseball pitcher *

Paul Whitaker Paul Robert Whitaker (born 28 June 1973) is a former English cricketer who played in England for Hampshire County Cricket Club and briefly in New Zealand for Central Districts. Cricket career Whitaker was born in June 1973 at Keighley, Yorks ...

(born 1973), English and New Zealand cricketer *

Pernell Whitaker Pernell Whitaker Sr. (January 2, 1964 – July 14, 2019) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2001, and subsequently worked as a boxing trainer. He was a four-weight world champion, having won titles at lightweight, ligh ...

(1964–2019), American boxer * Peter Whitaker, English actor *

Phil Whitaker Phil Whitaker (born 1966) is an English novelist, physician, and medical commentator. Education and writings Whitaker, born in Kent, qualified in medicine at the University of Nottingham in 1990. He undertook postgraduate training in general pra ...

(born 1966), British novelist and physician * Ray Whitaker, Australian rules footballer * Richard Whitaker (born 1947), Australian meteorologist *

Richard Whitaker (architect) Richard Whitaker is an American Third Bay Tradition architect. Whitaker was one of four architects who designed The Sea Ranch. He was the teaching assistant to Lawrence Halprin at the University of California, Berkeley. Halprin invited Whita ...

, American Third Bay Tradition architect * Robert Whitaker (disambiguation), several people * Rod Whitaker (disambiguation) * Rogers E. M. Whitaker (1900–1981), editor of ''The New Yorker'' magazine *

Romulus Whitaker Romulus Earl Whitaker (born 23 May 1943) is an American-born Indian herpetologist, wildlife conservationist, and founder of the Madras Snake Park, the Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust (ANET), and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. In 2008 ...

(born 1943), herpetologist *

Ronyell Whitaker Ronyell Deshawn Whitaker (born March 19, 1979) is an American former professional football cornerback. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played for the Minnesot ...

(born 1979), American professional football player *

Rosa Whitaker Rosa Whitaker Duncan-Williams is an American former trade negotiator who served as the first Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. She now runs a consulting firm, The Wh ...

, American entrepreneur * Ross T. Whitaker, American engineer * Ruth Whitaker (1936–2014), American politician * Samuel Estill Whitaker (1886–1967), Tennessee attorney, mayor of Riverview, Tennessee, and judge of the United States Court of Claims *

Sheila Whitaker Sheila Hazel Whitaker

(1936–2013), English film programmer and writer *

Slim Whitaker Charles Orbie "Slim" Whitaker (July 29, 1893 – June 27, 1960) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 340 films between 1914 and 1949. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and died in Los Angeles, California, from a heart attack ...

(''Charles Orbie Whitaker''; 1893–1960), American film actor *

Steve Whitaker (baseball) Stephen Edward Whitaker (born May 7, 1943) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played from 1966 to 1970 for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots and San Francisco Giants. Whitaker was signed by the Yankees as an amateur fre ...

(born 1943), American baseball player * Steve Whitaker (1955–2008), British artist *

T. K. Whitaker Thomas Kenneth Whitaker (8 December 1916 – 9 January 2017) was an Irish economist, politician, diplomat and civil servant who served as Secretary (administrative head) of Ireland's Department of Finance from 1956 to 1969, as Governor of the ...

(1916–2017), Irish economist *

Thomas Bartlett Whitaker Thomas Bartlett Whitaker (born December 31, 1979) is an American convicted under the Texas law of parties of murdering two family members as a 23-year-old. Whitaker was convicted and sentenced to death in March 2007 for the December 10, 2003 m ...

(born 1979), American convicted criminal *

Thomas Dunham Whitaker Thomas Dunham Whitaker (8 June 1759 – 18 December 1821) was an English clergyman and topographer who was Vicar of Whalley, Lancashire, Whalley, from 1809 and Blackburn (ancient parish), Blackburn, from 1818. He undertook landscape improvements ...

(1759–1821), English clergyman and topographer * Thomas W. Whitaker (1904–1993), American botanist and horticulturist * Timothy W. Whitaker (born 1948), Bishop of the United Methodist Church * Todd Whitaker, American educator, writer, and motivational speaker * Uncas A. Whitaker (1900–1975), prominent mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist * Walter C. Whitaker (1823–1887), Union general during the American Civil War *

Wetzel Whitaker Wetzel Orson "Judge" Whitaker (September 30, 1908 – November 1, 1985) was a filmmaker and animator. He is most known for his early work as a Disney animator, particularly the animation of the stepsisters from ''Cinderella (1950 film), Cindere ...

(also known as ''Judge Whitaker''; 1908–1985), American Mormon filmmaker * William Whitaker (disambiguation) (several people)

Fictional characters

Brad Whitaker Brad Whitaker is a fictional character in the James Bond film '' The Living Daylights''. He was portrayed by American actor Joe Don Baker. Baker also appeared as Jack Wade, Bond's CIA contact, in Pierce Brosnan's first two Bond films, ''GoldenEye ...

, fictional character from the James Bond film The Living Daylights * Faye Whitaker, fictional character from the webcomic ''

Questionable Content ''Questionable Content'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''QC'') is a slice-of-life webcomic written and illustrated by Jeph Jacques. It was launched in August 2003 and reached its 5,000th comic in March 2023. The plot originally centered on Marten R ...

'' * John Avery Whitaker, character from the Adventures in Odyssey radio drama {{surname, Whitaker English-language surnames