The name Whittaker comes from the farm High Whitacre, near Padiham in Lancashire, where the family lived from 1236. Edmund Whittaker's mother was Selina Septima Taylor and his father was John Whittaker, a man of independent means from Birkdale who was wealthy enough not to need an occupation.
Ang pangalan Whittaker ay mula sa sakahan Mataas na Whitacre, malapit Padiham sa Lancashire, kung saan ang mga pamilya ay nanirahan mula sa 1236. Edmund Whittaker ng ina ay Selina Septima Taylor at ang kanyang ama ay John Whittaker, ang isang tao ay nangangahulugan ng independiyenteng mula sa Birkdale na yumaman ay sapat na upang hindi na kailangan ng isang trabaho.