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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Angus (Forfarshire) => Topic started by: Whittet on Friday 25 March 11 18:44 GMT (UK)
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My ancestors appear to have had variations on the name White ranging from Quhittet and Weetet to Whyte and Whytit. I have been able to trace the earliest references c 1428 to a triangle of villages Dundee on the East, Perth on the West and Blairgowrie / Coupar Angus on the north. There presently are about 300 Whittets in Scotland, about 50 in England and the rest of them in the US, Canada, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, South Africa and one in Spain. Of the 666 Whittet's that use that exact spelling I keep track of about 120 using the "Where are all the Whittet's pages on Facebook. Most of us know of or have copies of the Whittet's Book that carries the family down to c 1900 but the relations are less well documented. I can track my family back to William Whittet and Jane Sprunt by handwritten reference in my copy of the Whittet Book and know fairly well the connections to Cross, Black, Drummond, Sutherland, Peck, Scot, Shepard, Young, McLean who left Scotland to found Sarnia and Bear Creek across the St Clair river from Detroit c 1832. I have references that tell me who did what when in Ontario and I have the names of those who settled in Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Mississippi, Florida, and some parts of Canada and Australia.
What I'm presently interested in is the earlier spellings such as Johnne Quhittet who was a somewhat unruly merchant of Dundee c 1599.
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Hi I have some Whittets in my tree from the Longforgan area c1750-1900, would you like some details?
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Sure, I expect it goes back to the Weittets in Perthshire John, James, Helen, Janet, Thomas in the 1760's. That Links to David Watson Whittet who is the scion of Redwood Falls MN. and goes back through John of Perthshire c 1635 and William of Coupar Angus c 1685 to Johhn Quhittet of Dundee c 1599. Ultimately it traces back to a couple of friars named Quhit in Coupar Angus c 1028.
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The furthest back I've got is George Whittet who married Betsy Allan, I suspect he was the son of Alexander, born 1775 in Kinnaird.
George and Betsy had at least five children, their daughter Christian Scott Whittet was born c1813 and married James Paul. Any of this ringing any bells? I'd love to get further back than George. I don't think they're in the Whittet Book.
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Extracts from the Lord Treasurer's accounts, having reference to the burgesses of Dundee who suffered for the reformed opinions, 1538-9. The paragraphs in brackets are translated from the Latin originals.
203 Item, furth of ane other myln perteining to ye laird of fyntrie, occupiet be Thomas Quhittet, Lyand on dichtie, To ye Choristaris zeirlie Threttie ss. iiij d.; And furth of ye sam myln to ye Rwid Chaiplanrie zeirlie twentie sex ss. viij d.
(I expect a furth of ane myln is a quarter knights fee [square mile] or about 160 acres.)
In those days angling was not at all general among the working men, at least in towns. I can remember when one could count on his finger ends all the anglers in Dundee. Of these, two were working men, and very good fishers they were. The only way to get to the burnside then was to walk.
But Dundee was fortunate in having one of the best trout streams in Scotland within an hour's walk of the Cross o' Dundee; I mean the Dighty, or "Dichtie," as the natives call it. About the beginning of the century it was a wonderful stream for trout, in numbers, size, and quality, two and three-pounders being not uncommon.
But the bleachfields had begun to tell a sad tale before I began the gentle art. Still, some parts of the stream were till lately fairly good, and wonderful takes were at times got. Now, I may say, all is barren. Salmon roe and other vile ways of killing fish were almost as much to blame as the bleachfields for the ruin of the trout fishing on the Dichtie.
Several documents illustrate the history of the Collegiate Church of Cullen. On 6th March 1465, a ratification was granted under the Great Seal, of the erection and endowment made by King Robert Bruce in the College Kirk of Cullen, and on 13th July 1543, Mary Queen of Scots granted a ratification of several endowments in favour of the Provost of the College Kirk of Cullen. The deed narrates that " tho auld chaiplanrie "of fiwe pundis infoft be umquhilc our prcdecessoure "King Robert the Bruce, of gude mynde of the burrow "rudis of oure burghe of Culane, with thretty thre "schillingis four pennyis gevin in augmentatioun "thairof be the bailleis and communitie of tho said "burgh to sustene ane cheplane daylie .... to pray "for the saule of Elizabeth, his spous, quene of Scottis, "quhilk deceissit in our said burgh of Culane, and hir "bouallis erdit in oure Lady Kirk thairof, be perpetu"allie, unit incorporat, and crectit .... in help and "supplement of oure College Kirk newlie erectit be "bailleis, burgesses, and communite of Culane, Alex"auder Ogilvy of that ilk, and Alexander Dyk, archi"dene of Glasgow, be consent and confirmation of the "bischop and chapter of Abirdene."
It would look like you might be related to James. The firstborn is named for the fathers father and the thirdborn for the father.
FIRST GENERATION. (James may have been a second son and John the firstborn; John goes back to 1612 and Johnn to the 14th century in Dundee.
I. James Weittit, of Kintillo, parish of Dun-
barney, born 1635 ? Married Marga-
ret Bu (the surname is undecipher-
able in the record), both of the Parish of
Dunbarney, July 23, 1657.
Issue.
1. John, born January 8, 1660.
2. Margaret, born November 13, 1663.
3. James, born August 26, 1666.
4. Christian, born January 23, 1669.
5. Robert, born September 3, 1671.
6. Andrew, born August 15, 1674.
http://testing.lisaandroger.com/getperson.php?personID=I34246&tree=John
Father James Whittet or Whytock, b. 14 December 1704, Kinnaird, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
Mother Isobel or Isabel West or Wast
Alexander Whittet or Whytock
Male 1729 - Yes - date unknown
Children
1. James Wittet or Whittet, b. 8 May 1759, Kinnaird by Errol, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
2. Margaret Whittet, b. 29 December 1762, Kinnaird by Errol, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
3. Janet Whittet, b. 11 January 1766, Kinnaird by Errol, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
4. Agnes Whittet, b. 3 June 1769, Kinnaird by Errol, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
5. George Whittet, b. 25 January 1775, Kinnaird by Errol, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
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Is there any way of confirming that that George is mine?
And where does all this information come from?
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Both are George Whittet the son of Alexander, born 1775 in Kinnaird
My link (Lisa and Roger.com) doesn't mention he married Betsy Allan, but I'd consider that a pretty good match nonetheless, unless you find another George Whittet born 1775 in Kinnaird. Other information comes from the "Where are all the Whittet's" pages on Facebook, which in turn comes from other Whittet's, and various document researches including Google Books and "The Whittet Book"
The earliest names are John (Johnne Quhittet) (1572) Then James; 1592, and William 1600. Robert 1646, Andrew 1652, Henry 1657, Patrick 1660, Thomas 1681, for women Ishobel 1572, Margaret 1612, Elizabeth 1632, Janet 1649, Jane 1658, Christian 1655
There is another George, son of Mary Whittet in about the same time and place but not quite so good a match, no Alexander.
The Donaldson family came from Kilspindie parish, 8 miles from Perth, and can trace their origins to a John Donaldson at Dalreitchmoor (married to Janet Morris), who earned his living both as a wright and handloom weaver. He was the father of two sons: James (b 1791), married in 1818 to Ann Anderson (1784-1821); and George (b 1797), married to Mary Whittet (1798-1822). The younger son, George, became a master joiner in the neighbouring village of Balgeggie. The elder son, James, like his father, took to the loom, but with the decline of handloom weaving, he bought the neighbouring farm of Whitemyre in 1830. He was the father of two sons, George (b 1818) and James (1826-1890), who were the founders of the company now known as James Donaldson and Sons Ltd.
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Another early spelling variant
MOW, or MOLLE. The church previous to the Reformation belonged to the Abbey of Kelso, and the parish was supplied by WILLIAM QUHYTE, reader in 1580, and JOHN QUHYTE in 1585. The parishioners, 22d Aug. 1617, gave a preference to Morebattle, but express their willingness to have ane minister, gif maintenance could be found. It was, however, united to Morebattle before 16th Dec. 1635.
http://www.themastertons.org/robert-masterton-of-parkmill.html
Helen Quhyte pardoned of witchcrafy and treason afte being burnt at the stake as a witch
http://forejustice.org/db/fc/Quhyte--White---Helen.html
History of name: WHITE
The White Name "The spellings: Whyte, Hulta, Huuita and Hwita occur ap personal names in O.E. (Old English) characters. It is from the O.E. hwit, "white". White is also found as a byname. There follows a list, with dates, showing incidence of various spellings recorded in early documents: Albus- 1240 Quheit-1587 Qwyth-1482 Quhyt - 1289 Quheitt-1588 Qwite-1407 Qwhyt-1376 Quhit-1497 Qwyt-1471 Qwhit-1742 Quhite-1493 Whyt-1648 Quheyt-1525 Quhyt-1462 Whytt-1677 Whytte-1658 Quyt-1606 Source: Black-Surnames of Scotland. Page 811 "white comes from Hwita (the white, fair), an ancient English baptismal name of Saxon origin. Hwita originally indicated a person of light, fair complexion. Ina document dated 1024 we find: 'Tovi Hwita' (Tovi, the White). White is sometimes a shortened form of the Old English patronymic form of Whiting, (descendent of White)" White is also Anglicized from the German Weiss (White) or from the French Blanch or Blanchard. In Middle English the Old English Hwita becomes Wyte, usually written "le Wyte". The Middle English wiht (brave) may be another source of White. The names Wynn, Winn, Wynne are all Welsh cognates of White, when not from the Old English wyn (friend, protector.") It is curious that the surname Black is occasionally derived from the Middle English blac (pale, white), a word related to bleach, hence we discover that Black is White - one of the many surprises encountered in tracing the origins of names. See also: Gwin, Black, Schwarz, Weiss.
Source: These names of Ours by A.W. Dellquist-Thos. Y. Crowell, 1938 "....the names of those who bore the complimentary name wiht (Middle English for 'valiant') are now indistinguishable from those that represent color."
Source: Bowman-The Story of Surnames, page 184
http://testing.lisaandroger.com/relationship.php?generations=16&savedpersonID=&primarypersonID=I35211&tree=John''
ORIGINS OF THE SURNAME " WHYTOCK"
Recorded as Whytoak, Whittock, Whittuck, Whytock, Whittek and possibly others, this is quite a rare surname of English medieval origins. It derives from the pre-7th century Old English " HWIT - COCC", which, according to the famous Victorian etymologist Canon Charles Bardsley, means " The White Cock", but whether this is a reference to somebody who lived at or by a house or inn with that name, or whether it has a more personal meaning, is not known. The name appears to have originated in a western county of England, with, for instance, Robert Whitcock being so recorded in the Hundred Rolls of landowners of the County of Wiltshire in 1273, and John Wyttok in the Subsidy Tax rolls in the county of Somerset in 1327. The fact that these recordings are associated with the payment of tax based upon land and possessions suggests that the surname may, like the popular White Hart, refer to an inn or similar business.It is however possible that it is an ethnic name, in that "Hwit" or "White" often referred to an Anglo-Saxon or Viking settler, as both these races were fair haired and fair skinned compared with the native English. If so, the name could have described the "son of White" with "cocc" being used to mean "the son of" as in Hancock and Hitchcock being the names "son of Hans" or "son of Hitch" respectively.
Family Jannat Vilson or Wilson
Married 1566 Angus, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location
Children
> 1. John or Jhon Quhattit or Whittok, b. about 1570, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
> 2. Robert or Rot. Quhattit or Whittok, b. about 1590, d. Yes - date unknown
> 3. Thomas Quhyts or Whitlock or Whytock, b. about 1594, St Madoes, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
> 4. James Whittok, b. about 1595, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
> 5. Andro or Andrew Whittok, b. about 1600, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
> 6. William Quhattit or Whittok, b. about 1600, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
7. Agnes Whittok, b. about 1605, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
> 8. Georg Whittok, b. about 1605, d. Yes - date unknown
9. Nans or Nancy Whittok or Quhattit, b. about 1610, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
10. Helen Whittok, b. about 1610, Kilmadock, Perthshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location, d. Yes - date unknown
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The reason I asked if there was any way of confirming that this George was mine was because my source is probably the same as yours.
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I think its reasonable to extend your George and Alexander back through that source to James b December 1704. The Earliest Weittet in the Whittet Book, James, is established in Perth c 1635. Naming conventions suggest a link as Grandparent. First there aren't much more than 1st cousins for Whittets in Perth, Dundee, or Coupar Angus, regardless of spelling. Secondly the issue agrees:
Issue.
1. John, born January 8, 1660.
2. Margaret, born November 13, 1663.
3. James, born August 26, 1666.
4. Christian, born January 23, 1669.
5. Robert, born September 3, 1671.
6. Andrew, born August 15, 1674.
Third, I think exploration of the naming variations and conventions supports the connection
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I'll do some extensive research at New Register House when I get a chance, to double-check your source and prove to myself that the people in the book actually existed. :)
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Going back to the bleaching fields on the dichtie:
Extracts from the Lord Treasurer's accounts, having reference to the burgesses of Dundee who suffered for the reformed opinions, 1538-9. The paragraphs in brackets are translated from the Latin originals.
203 Item, furth of ane other myln perteining to ye laird of fyntrie, occupiet be Thomas Quhittet, Lyand on dichtie, To ye Choristaris zeirlie Threttie ss. iiij d.; And furth of ye sam myln to ye Rwid Chaiplanrie zeirlie twentie sex ss. viij d.
(I expect a furth of ane myln is a quarter knights fee [square mile] or about 160 acres.)
But Dundee was fortunate in having one of the best trout streams in Scotland within an hour's walk of the Cross o' Dundee; I mean the Dighty, or "Dichtie," as the natives call it. About the beginning of the century it was a wonderful stream for trout, in numbers, size, and quality, two and three-pounders being not uncommon.
But the bleachfields had begun to tell a sad tale before I began the gentle art. Still, some parts of the stream were till lately fairly good, and wonderful takes were at times got. Now, I may say, all is barren. Salmon roe and other vile ways of killing fish were almost as much to blame as the bleachfields for the ruin of the trout fishing on the Dichtie.
As a matter of curiosity, Given the quarter myle on the dichtie or salmon stream that became the bleaching grounds and was apparently located somewhere near what is now the island in the Tay with King James VI golf club in Perth I wonder if there is some linkage between White (with all its variations) and bleached white.
google image removed , as per rootschat policy , to avoid any problems with copyright and T & C of other sites
you can provide a link to the relevant image
ev
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There is another George, son of Mary Whittet in about the same time and place but not quite so good a match, no Alexander.
Could I get more information about this George? I shouldn't have mentioned Alexander originally, as I haven't verified the link.
Also a quick search on IGI throws up no results for a James Whittet/Whytock (or any other variations) born in 1704, but there's a James WITTET born 5 Nov 1699 in Forgandenny, Perthshire, son of Robert, and one James WITTIT born 6 Oct 1700 in Dron, Perthshire, son of Andrew Wittit and Janet Mershall.
Andrew and Janet had the following children, all born in Dron:
William b 1699
James b 1700
Janet b 1702
John b 1705
Andrew b 1708
Andrew (husband of Janet Mershall) was born 1674 in Dunbarney, Perthshire. He was the son of James WEITTIT and Margaret Brews.
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ScotlandsPeople has a James Whittet (variation thereof) born 14th December 1704 in Kinnaird.
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Focusing on the occupation of the Dichtie which runs not from Perth as I at first supposed but from Dundee, marked today by the Dichtie Strathan Martine running north from the University of Aberfedy, there are a number of Whittet's with various spellings Quhittet, Quhittit, Whittet, Whyte, involved in the Mill which lands are referred to as a furth myle on the dichtie and the Hospital further up stream with three oxengangs as Burgers and Counselors of Dundee between 1420 and 1834.
The Town had purchased from Scrymgeour of Dudhope, Constable of Dundee, in 1612, the Mill and Mill Lands of Baldovan, and these were long held by the Town; and it will be seen from the various early Crown Charters the Town had the right of Thirlage or exclusive right of grinding corn for the Town and district. These Mills and Mill Lands and Thirlage were sold by public roup by the Town on 19th December, 1827, to the Baker Trade, at the price of £4,000, with £100 of yearly feu-duty, and redeemable except to the extent of £8 6s. 8d. yearly. The Mills latterly became the property of Mr. William Harris, and now belong to Sir John Ogilvy, Bart., who holds the same of the Town, for payment to the Town of the annual unredeemed feu-duty of £8 6s. 8d.—the feu-duty of £100 having, except to this extent, been redeemed.
By a Minute of Sale, dated 28th May, 1621, betwixt David Grahame of Fyntrie and Spouse and the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of Dundee, and Deacons of Crafts, he sold to the Town "All and Haill thais his thrie Corne Mylnis of y° Maynes of Erlis-Stradichtie, situat upon ye water of Dichtie, quhairoff ane is presentlie occupyit be Jhone Jackson and James Jobson, and y3 uyer twa are presentlie occupyit be James Quhittit and Walter Scott, with the haill geir of y° saidis Mylnis as they are presentlie gangand, with all the damis, leadis, intakkis, and watter gaugis of y* saidis thrie Mylnis, togedder also with the water slousses and previleges yairoff, &c, as also the schelling hill of yi-' foresaid Myln occupyit be the said Jhone Jackson, lyand upone ye south syed of y* said lead, betwix y* samyne lead and corne land of y° said Maynes of Erlis-Stradichtie: Lykas thrie acris of arable landis of his Maynes of Erlis-Stradichtie lyand contiguous with the saidis Mylnis," with various privileges and passages, all as therein mentioned, lying in the Parochine of Mains, Regality of Kirriemuir, and Sheriffdom of Forfar,—To be holden feu for a yearly payment of £100 Scots.
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This Mill is now, it is believed, held by Mr. Tyrell, who pays to the Town the annual feu-duty of 60 pounds Scots, or £5 sterling.
By Contract of Feu, dated 26th May, 1735, and recorded in the Burgh Court Books 8th October, 1756, the Town, for a consideration of 1200 merks Scots, sold to the Wauker Trade of Dundee "All and Haill that our Walk Mi In, formerly a Corn Miln, being the midmost of these three Corn Milns purchased by the Town of Dundee from the deceased David Graham of Fintry, and commonly called the Midle Miln, with the arable land belonging thereto, sometime possesst by James Whittet, lying upon the Water of Deightie, as the same is presently possessed by the Walker Trade, with the hail gearage of said Miln as she is presently going, with all and sundry Dams, intacks, leads, water gaugs yrof, w* the privilege of winter slouses upon the east parts and sides of said leads, and with all and sundry houses, biggings, yards, and pertinents of same," for, in addition, a yearly feu-duty of £5 Scots payable to the Town of Dundee therefor.
This Mill is now held by Cargill & Co., Bleachers, and is still known by the name of the Mid Mill; and they pay the annual feu-duty to the Town of Hs. 4d. sterling.
The Westraost Mill and Mill Lands (known latterly by the name of Fountainbleau) were sold by the Town's Trustees to Mr. Erskine of Linlathen and Fintry in 1852 for £950, and he to be bound to relieve the Town of the feu-duty of £100 Scots payable to the Laird of Fintry by the original Feu-Contract above-mentioned in 1621.
In this way the Town's Mills, which for many years were a source of considerable revenue to the Town, have all been disposed of.
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5 Aug?, 1728.—Alex. Robertson moved in Councill, that there was one Mary Geddy, a Manty maker, who was come of respectable parents of this place, whom the Taylor trade impeded from working in this brugh,—which the Councill considering, appoint Conveener Whittet to commune w* the taylor trade, & see if he can get her & the taylor trade agreed, & report.
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Blair, Patrick Yeaman, and George Crocket, present Bailies of the said Burgh of Dundee; Thomas Mudie, Dean of Gild; Patrick Tod, Treasurer thereof; and James Whyte, Deacon Convener of the Trades of the said Burgh, ...of date the twenty-fifth day of May, one thousand six hundred and seventy-two (1672)
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Ratification, Agreement, and Obligation between the Provost, Magistrates, and Council and the Nine Incorporated Trades, as to their privileges, and their paying towards the Stipend of the Ministers of th/s Burgh. In Council Minute of 24th Septetnber, 1699.
'I SHE said day, the Provost, Bailies, and remanent members of Councell taking to their serious consideration ane petition given in to them be James Whyte, present Deacon Conveener of ye craftes of ye said Burgh of Dundie
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6th May, 1707.—Appoints ye drum to goe through ye toune Discharging all Breuars to vend or sell any ale till first they enter ye same w? Conveener Whyte and he survey ye broust, under yc penalty of six pound Scots each persone who shall vend or sell w*out entry & survey; and any persone abstracting any of ye broust of ale befor entry shall be lyable in the value of the broust.
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Re: your question about Mary Whittet, I found this upstream.
Marjory Whittet Death Cert 1871 Dundee
« on: Saturday 20 March 10 18:45 GMT (UK) » Reply with quote
I have a death cert for Mary Whittet who died in Dundee in 1871.
Aged 24. Married to David Whittet
Parents listed as James Miller and Janet Miller - Maiden name Milne
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Sorry, how can that Mary Whittet be the potential mother of my George when he was born c1775 and this Mary died in 1871?
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I have just come across this thread as I have been researching Whittets in Abernyte and Kinnaird. I have found three Whittet families in Abernyte between 1750 and 1790 - Thomas, Patrick and Francis. I have struggled to find their father and have come to the conclusion that he is probably the one recorded as "Thomas Whitehead" who had several children baptised in Abernyte during the 1750s. However, looking for "Thomas Whitehead's" marriage, I can only find Thomas Whittet/Margaret Wrighton in Kinnaird in 1747.
I then looked at the Whittets in Kinnaird and found that most of the parents and children baptised echoed the same names as later generations - Thomas, William, Alexander, Agnes, Robert, Patrick, Margaret. I am beginning to suspect that the earlier generation (about 1700-1750) came from Kinnaird, were probably called Whittet, and the 6 or 7 baptisms in Abernyte under the name "Whitehead" were aberrations - the names Whittet and Whitehead would sound very similar and perhaps a cleric just wrote them down wrongly.
For info, my ancestor is Robert Whittet, baptised Abernyte 1782, son of Peter/Patrick Whittet and Elizabeth Gray. I suspect that "Thomas Whitehead" was Patrick's father.
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Maybe someone reading this page has information about the Elizabeth Wittit, below. If you can add to this information, please post it here or send a message to me.
Elizabeth Wittit, married a James Pye in 1753 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland. They had a son named George Pye, born around 1757. James Pye was probably a brother of Thomas Pye who married Agnes Wittit in Dysart in 1750, and Agnes Wittit was a sister of Elizabeth Wittet. So it looks like two brothers marrying two sisters.
Agnes & Elizabeth were daughters of William Wittit, a weaver, who died in Dysart in 1772. His wife, Mary (or Helen) Wilson died in 1766 in Dysart. I don't know where William & his wife were born or where they married. He might be descended from the Whittits of Perth.
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I have just come across this thread as I have been researching Whittets in Abernyte and Kinnaird. I have found three Whittet families in Abernyte between 1750 and 1790 - Thomas, Patrick and Francis. I have struggled to find their father and have come to the conclusion that he is probably the one recorded as "Thomas Whitehead" who had several children baptised in Abernyte during the 1750s. However, looking for "Thomas Whitehead's" marriage, I can only find Thomas Whittet/Margaret Wrighton in Kinnaird in 1747.
I then looked at the Whittets in Kinnaird and found that most of the parents and children baptised echoed the same names as later generations - Thomas, William, Alexander, Agnes, Robert, Patrick, Margaret. I am beginning to suspect that the earlier generation (about 1700-1750) came from Kinnaird, were probably called Whittet, and the 6 or 7 baptisms in Abernyte under the name "Whitehead" were aberrations - the names Whittet and Whitehead would sound very similar and perhaps a cleric just wrote them down wrongly.
For info, my ancestor is Robert Whittet, baptised Abernyte 1782, son of Peter/Patrick Whittet and Elizabeth Gray. I suspect that "Thomas Whitehead" was Patrick's father.
I have found Whittet and variant spellings of Whittet (as listed in the Whittet Book) in a triangle of villages bounded by Dundee, Perth and Blairgowrie/Coupar Angus going back a bit before those listed in the Whittet Book. Kinnaird is just to the northwest of Blairgowrie, Abernyte is in the middle of the triangle. Kettins is just east of Coupar Angus. The earliest dates for Whittet spelled as Whittet (or Quhittet) are in the 1500's and refer to property owning millers just north of Dundee and merchants, clerks and Bailiffs in Dundee.
My interest is in William Whittet who married Margaret Helen Scott in Kettins in 1804 in Kettins. If he were the son of Francis Whittet that would make him 11 at the time, but there are other William Whittet's. I'm looking for him to be between twenty and thirty for a first marriage, probably closer to twenty. William, son of William or William II married Margaret Cross Whittet and took ship to Detroit in 1834. Moving across the St. Croix river they were among the founders of Sarnia, Lambton County Ontario and and my branch moved to the US in the 1890's.
On the Whittet Webb site there is the chart Neil refers to.
A Neil Whittet in New Zealand http://whittet.co.nz/ says
"Our 3-times-great grandmother, Betsy Whittet (nee Kemp), recently widowed, moved from Abernyte to Dundee and found work as a lodging home helper. In 1861 Betsy, now aged 34 and with 2 sons, married Alexander Gibb a 26 year old joiner.
Her eldest son William Whittet, whom we are decended from, found work as a gas works stoker and married Agnes Wilkie, a domestic servant from Arbirlot (near Arbroath), on 2nd July 1869. William was 26 and Agnes 32 at the time of their wedding. The records suggest that Agnes may have lied about her age and she was actually 34. William and Agnes are our great, great grandparents.
William and Agnes had 3 children, William, Matthew and Jessie. We are decended from the eldest son William, an iron moulder, who married Jessie Sivewright, a domestic servant, in 1896. Their children were Jane, Jessie, William, George, Helen, Elizabeth and Matthew. We are decended from George who married Georgina Gavine in 1926 and had an only son, William, born in 1927. George died in 1930 and Georgina had another son Frederick.
Neil adds a map locating the name variants.
The family appears to have been employed in such trades as agricultural worker, glover, shoemaker, jointer, printer, clerk, baliff, miller, weaver, and lord. The trades seem to be practiced in Dundee, the agricultural work closer to Couper Angus and Blaigorie
Spencer refers to an Establishment named Whittet's in a poem about Errol on Lord Greys estate. "After Errol Winter Market." which appears to refer to Whittets as the haunt of weavers. (wags and wabster chiels) Errol is just south of the A90 which is the lower leg of the triangle.