Show ContentsVaters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished German surname Vaters is derived from the High German "vater," meaning "father." It is likely that the name was originally bestowed as a nickname on someone who acted as a counselor or elder within an extended family or community. Alternatively, the name "Vader" was often used to refer to a clergyman or to a male attendant in a hospital; thus, the progenitor of the name may have been one who held such an occupation.

Early Origins of the Vaters family

The surname Vaters was first found in Bavaria, where the name Vatersheim was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

Early History of the Vaters family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vaters research. Another 123 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1680, 1712, 1749, 1757, 1771, 1790, 1793, 1826 and 1866 are included under the topic Early Vaters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vaters Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Vatersheim, Vater, Vaterweis, Feuerstein, Waterstein, Waterscheim, Watersheim, Fater, Fader and many more.

Early Notables of the Vaters family

Prominent among members of the name Vaters in this period include

  • Gottfried Samuel Vater (1680-1749), a master builder, Georg Vater (c.1712), a German sculptor, Johann Severin Vater (1771-1826), a Baltic professor of theology, Friedrich Vater (d. 1866), a prominent...

Vaters Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Vaters is the 400th most popular surname with an estimated 117 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Vaters family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Paulus Vater, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1742; Christian Vater, a mercenary from Anhalt-Zerbst who settled in Québec after fighting in the American Revolution, Andrew Fader, who was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1843.


Contemporary Notables of the name Vaters (post 1700) +

  • Douglas P. Vaters, American producer, director and writer, known for his work on Eye Can Hear You (2011), Spy Net (2013) and What They Seem?(2011)
  • Alberts Vaters (b. 1928), Latvian football forward and midfielder


  1. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook