Watay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Watay family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. 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 Watay family

The surname Watay 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 Watay family

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

Watay Spelling Variations

In various documents Watay has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacWatt, MacWattie, MacWatters, MacQuattie, MacVatt and many more.

Early Notables of the Watay family

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

Migration of the Watay family to Ireland

Some of the Watay 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.

Migration of the Watay family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Watay or a variant listed above: George McWatters settled in Philadelphia in 1847; B. McWattey settled in San Francisco in 1752; John and Jane McWhatey settled in New York State in 1811.