Show ContentsMcWaters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McWaters 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 McWaters family

The surname McWaters 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 McWaters family

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

McWaters Spelling Variations

In various documents McWaters 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 McWaters family

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

Migration of the McWaters family to Ireland

Some of the McWaters 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.


McWaters migration to Australia +

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

McWaters Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James McWaters, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 1
  • Jane McWaters, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 1
  • Ellen McWaters, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 1
  • Stewart McWaters, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 1
  • Mary McWaters, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Dauntless" in 1840 1

Contemporary Notables of the name McWaters (post 1700) +

  • Jeffrey L. "Jeff" McWaters (b. 1956), American politician, Republican member of the Senate of Virginia (2010-)
  • William McWaters (1844-1875), American gunfighter from Missouri who rode with William Clarke Quantrill
  • Jeffrey L. McWaters, American Republican politician, Elected Virginia State Senate 8th District 2011 2
  • Alfred David McWaters, Australian politician, Mayor of Toowoomba, Queensland in 1916


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DAUNTLESS 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Dauntless.htm
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook