Surname Watter - Meaning and Origin
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Watter: What does the surname Watter mean?
The last name Watter is a German surname believed to have originated in the area of what is now known as central Germany. It has been suggested that the name could be derived from a personal name which itself is derived from the German word “wasser”, meaning water. This would indicate that the original bearer of the name was likely a dweller near a body of water.
The first known recorded use of the name Watter was in 1354, when the name appears in the charter concerning a pledge of Wolf of Watter. The family is believed to have relocated to Silesia, an area in what is now south-west Poland, around the same time. As the family grew in prominence, they adopted a coat of arms featuring an eagle, a symbol of strength and power, on a black field.
Today, the surname Watter is most associated with the North American countries of Canada and the United States, where it is believed to have been taken by German immigrants in the 18th century. The name is rare, but still in use in both countries, with the highest concentration in the province of Manitoba in Canada.
The surname Watter would have had a significant meaning to those of that name within the German speaking world, harking back to the watery origins of the surname, and symbolizing strength and perseverance, qualities necessary for surviving and living near a body of water.
Order DNA origin analysisWatter: Where does the name Watter come from?
The last name Watter is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. The name was first recorded in England in the 1300s and spread from there. It appears to have originated in Lancashire, where rare variants such as Woather and Watters were recorded.
Today, it is most concentrated in Scotland, where there are more Watter families than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Although the surname is common in England, Scotland has the highest concentration.
Watter is also common in Canada, Australia, and the United States, although to a lesser degree. Canada has the second-highest population of Watter families, while Australia and the United States have smaller but still sizable communities. In the United States, Watter is concentrated in Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The surname is also recorded in Germany, France, and other countries as Wattner or Watterz.
The Watter surname is likely derived from a common Germanic given name Waddhari, which is composed of the elements "wad" ("space"), "hari" ("army"), and "harja" ("warrior"), and has given rise to a variety of surnames, including Watters, Waddell, Woodall, and Wadell.
Variations of the surname Watter
The surname Watter has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. The alternative spellings of Watter include Watters, Water, Watterson, Watterson, Watterzon, and Wattzar. On occasion, the surname Watter may also be seen as Wathers, Watherson, or Watterson.
Watter is derived from the Middle English word water, which is derived from Old English words, wæter and wætermann. Several of the variants of Watter, including Waters and Watterson, are formed by adding an -s, while other variants, such as Wattzar, add a -z. In some cases, individuals bearing the surname Watter may have been descended from someone associated with a water source, such as a river or stream, as the etymology of the word suggests.
The surname Watter is also related to other English surnames, such as Waterman, Waterhouse, Waterside, and Waterworth. These surnames originate from similar Old English words, such as wítermann, wítera, and wítrsíde, which all have different meanings related to a water source. Additionally, similar surnames from other languages, such as the German name Wassertr 10ger, may be associated with the name Watter.
In conclusion, the surname Watter has several variants, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin. Variants of the surname may incorporate an -s or -z, while other related surnames may have originated from similar Old English words or other languages.
Famous people with the name Watter
- Dave Watters: Singer/Songwriter who had many successful hits during the 1970s and 1980s, including “Lead Me On” and “Kiss Me Goodbye.”
- Robert Watters: Retired American Football player who played eight seasons in the NFL.
- Steve Watters: As an American professional ice hockey player, he played three seasons in the NHL for the Calgary Flames.
- Richard Watters: British boxer who won a gold medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in the flyweight division.
- Luke Watters: Australian TV presenter and actor most known for appearing in the comedy show Hey Hey, It's Saturday.
- Philip Watters: Former Australian rules footballer who played for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League.
- Zoe Watters: British actress who has starred in films such as Trainspotting, The Last King of Scotland and Atonement, and on television series like Peaky Blinders.
- John Watters: Canadian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Jack Watter: Professional footballer who played as a centre half for various teams in the Football League.
- Laura Watter: Professional American tennis player who has reached the semifinals at the US Open in both singles and doubles.