Waite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 


The Waite name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Waite was originally a name given to someone who worked as a watchman. This surname comes from the Anglo-Norman-French word waite, which means watch. 1

"To the former title of this official duty it is we owe the fact of our still terming, any company of night serenaders 'waits,' and especially those bands of strolling minstrels who keep up the good old custom of watching in Christmas morning. A good old custom, I say, even though it may cost us a few pence, and rouse us somewhat rudely, may be, from our slumbers." 2

Waits or Waites were British town pipers. Up until 1835, every British town and city of note had a band of Waites and more often than not, they played and instrument called the Wait-pipe.

Early Origins of the Waite family

The surname Waite was first found in the Norman Exchequer Rolls of 1180, where Robert La Waite is entered. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Robert le Weyte, Oxfordshire; Sarra le Weyte, Oxfordshire; and Ralph le Weyte, or Wayte, Essex. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Wayte; and Willelmus Wayte. 2

Roger le Wayte was listed in Suffolk in 1221; Hugh le Weyt was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1251; Roger le Wate in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296; and Adam le Whaite was registered in Gloucestershire in 1349. 4

"Adam de Wayte, in 1306, held in Lincolnshire; and a monumental brass in Stoke-Charity Church commemorates Thomas Wayte, who died in 1482." 3

Further to the north in Scotland, the name had the same meaning so accordingly, early records were founds there too. Adam Wayt, was a witness in Aberbrothoc, 1312, and Thomas dictus Weyt, was a chaplain in Inverness in 1361. Huchown the Wate was a tacksman in Grenyng and Bankis in Marwek, 1492. 5

Early History of the Waite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waite research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1525, 1595, 1610, 1611, 1634, 1636, 1642, 1643, 1665, 1684, 1688, 1699, 1747, 1777 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Waite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waite Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Waite are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Waite include: Waite, Wait, Wayte, Waits, Waight and others.

Early Notables of the Waite family

Notables of the family at this time include

Waite World Ranking

In the United States, the name Waite is the 2,058th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 6 However, in New Zealand, the name Waite is ranked the 798th most popular surname with an estimated 913 people with that name. 7 And in the United Kingdom, the name Waite is the 702nd popular surname with an estimated 9,542 people with that name. 8

Migration of the Waite family to Ireland

Some of the Waite family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Waite migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Waite or a variant listed above:

Waite Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Waite Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Waite Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Waite migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waite Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Waite Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Waite migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Waite Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Waite 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:

Waite Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Waite (post 1700) +


The Waite Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Pro aris et focis
Motto Translation: For our altars and our home.


Suggested Readings for the name Waite +
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