McWalters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McWalters family were born. Their name comes from the names Wattie and Watty, both of which are pet forms of the personal name Walter. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Bhaididh, which translates as son of Wattie or son of Watty.

Early Origins of the McWalters family

The surname McWalters was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McWalters family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McWalters research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1620 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McWalters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McWalters Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McWalters has been spelled MacWatt, MacWattie, MacWatters, MacQuattie, MacVatt and many more.

Early Notables of the McWalters family

More information is included under the topic Early McWalters Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McWalters family to Ireland

Some of the McWalters family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McWalters migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McWalters Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William McWalters, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cairngorm" in 1863