Watie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland spawned the name Watie. It is derived 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 Watie family

The surname Watie 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 Watie family

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

Watie Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. Watie has appeared as MacWatt, MacWattie, MacWatters, MacQuattie, MacVatt and many more.

Early Notables of the Watie family

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

Migration of the Watie family to Ireland

Some of the Watie 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 Watie family

Many settled along the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. As the American War of Independence broke out, those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these hardy Dalriadan-Scottish settlers began to recover their collective history in the 20th century with the advent of the vibrant culture fostered by highland games and Clan societies in North America. Highland games, clan societies, and other organizations generated much renewed interest in Scottish heritage in the 20th century. The Watie were among the earliest of the Scottish settlers as immigration passenger lists have shown: 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.