Surname Waterman - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Genetic Journey of the Surname Waterman: My Interpretations with iGENEA’s DNA Test

Embarking on a genetic journey with iGENEA, my familiarity with DNA testing transformed from rudimentary knowledge to thorough understanding of the powerful dynamics of genetics. The Waterman surname was no longer a simple classification, but rather a complex tapestry of historical migrations, occupations, struggles, and survival.

Y. Waterman

Waterman: What does the surname Waterman mean?

The last name Waterman is of English origin and dates back to the Middle ages. It is an occupational surname used for a person who worked with or lived near water. The name could have been used for someone who had occupations such as a boatman, a fisherman, a worker at the docks, or a person who lived by a watercourse or a water well. Surnames during these times were often derived from one's occupation, place of residence, or father's name, and Waterman belongs to the category of occupational surnames. Also, sometimes last names were designed as a form of identification. The name is first found in the county of Kent, England, around the 13th century. Variations of the surname include Watermann, Weterman, and Watherman. Today, the name Waterman can be found in many English-speaking countries, though it remains most common in England itself.

Waterman: Where does the name Waterman come from?

The last name Waterman is most common in the United States of America. According to the US Census Bureau, it is the 8,235th most common surname in the country. It is concentrated in the eastern and northern states, such as Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Outside the United States, Waterman is most prevalent in Australia, with its 20,112th rank among surnames. It is also common in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand.

Research on the origin of the last name is not conclusive, but many genealogists agree that Waterman is an occupational or patronymic surname, referring to the occupation of boatman. In medieval Europe, the genre of watermen included ferrymen, bargemen, fishermen, and sailors.

The analog of Waterman in countries where English is not spoken is usually close to the source words. In French, it is Jeaman; in German, it's Wasserfuhrmann; in Italian, it is Acquadrone or Acquadaro; and in Spanish, it is Mariner.

It seems that the family line of Watermen is still alive and well in the 21st Century, both in North America and outside.

Variations of the surname Waterman

The surname Waterman originated from a job title associated with working on or near water—specifically boatmen and those responsible for transportation on the water. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Waterman, Watman, Wattman, Wauterman, Wattersman, Wetterman, Wettehrmann, Wettermund, Vatterman, Vetterman, Vettermann, Vaterman, Vadermans, Vadersmann, Vaderman, Vadersman, and Vattemann.

Waterman – This is a relatively old English name for those that worked in water transportation and boatmen.

Watman – This is an alternative spelling of Waterman, referring to a boatman.

Wattman – This is another spelling of Waterman.

Wauterman – This is a Dutch variant of Waterman and is related to boatmen.

Wattersman – This spelling is related to Waterman, but also is associated with additional transportation duties.

Wetterman – This is a variant of Waterman, most likely related to occupations involving the sea or other bodies of water.

Wettehrmann – This is a German name derived from Waterman. It is also related to water transportation.

Wettermund – This is another Germanic spelling of Waterman.

Vatterman – This is a German variant of Waterman and is associated with boatmen and navigating waterways.

Vetterman – Similar to Vatterman, this is related to Waterman, but with a slightly different spelling.

Vettermann – This is another German spelling associated with waterfront duties and boatmen.

Vaterman – This is a German name derived from Waterman and is related to boat operations.

Vadermans – This is a Dutch name related to Waterman associated with water transportation.

Vadersmann – This is another Dutch surname associated with Waterman and those that worked on or near water.

Vaderman – This is a Dutch variant of Waterman associated with duties surrounding bodies of water.

Vadersman – This spelling is related to Waterman and is primarily associated with Dutch boatmen.

Vattemann – This is a German spelling derived from Waterman and is related to those that navigate waterways.

Famous people with the name Waterman

• Adam Waterman, American baseball player
• Chris Waterman, American painter and sculptor
• Clifford Waterman, American photographer
• Dave Waterman, 34th Prime Minister of Dominica
• George B. Waterman, American politician
• Gerard Waterman, Dutch novelist and poet
• J. P. Waterman, Canadian politician
• Tristan Waterman, American hip hop artist
• Kenneth Waterman, English actor
• Marlen Waterman, Australian entrepreneur
• Nathan Waterman, American film director
• Penny Waterman, British aviator
• Richard Waterman, American former Olympic equestrian
• Lisa Waterman, Canadian journalist
• Tami Waterman, American illusionist
• Wilfred Waterman, British chemist
• Alan Waterman, American physicist
• Paul Waterman, American mountain climber
• William Waterman, British mathematician
• Harry Waterman, English cricketer

Other surnames

WatermannWatermayerWatermeier