Show ContentsWallterson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the name Wallterson are from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from Wat, which is a diminutive form of Walter. This Old German name, which literally means mighty army, was introduced into England during the reign of Edward the Confessor and became one of the most popular personal names in that country following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The surname also features the suffix -son, which superseded other patronymic suffixes in popularity during the 14th century and was most popular in the north of England.

Early Origins of the Wallterson family

The surname Wallterson was first found in the county of Rutland, where they were Lords of the manor of Rockingham, from ancient times. This was home to "a castle was erected by William I., on the summit of a hill, for the protection of the extensive iron-works at that time carried on in the adjacent woodlands. During the war in the reign of Charles I., the castle was garrisoned for the king by Sir Lewis Watson, afterwards created Lord Rockingham, and was besieged by the parliamentarian forces, who at the same time destroyed the tower and part of the nave of the church: the only remains of the castle are the two massive bastions that defended the entrance gateway." 1

Early History of the Wallterson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wallterson research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1392, 1450, 1493, 1593, 1600, 1601, 1617, 1620, 1630, 1637, 1659, 1660, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1699, 1710, 1717, 1722 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wallterson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wallterson Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Wallterson family name include Wattson, Walterson, MacWattie and others.

Early Notables of the Wallterson family

Distinguished members of the family include Earl of Rockingham; Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686), an English, Nonconformist, Puritan preacher and author; Daniel Watson (c 1617-1683), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Lichfield in 1659, Recorder of Newcastle-under-Lyme (1660-1683); Thomas Watson (1637-1717), an English clergyman, Bishop of St David's (1687-1699); Samuel Watson (fl. c.1687-c.1710), an associate of Isaac Newton, he invented the 5 minute repeater, made the first stopwatch and a clock for King Charles II; and Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes (1686-1722), a British Member of...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wallterson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Wallterson family to Ireland

Some of the Wallterson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 90 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 Wallterson family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Wallterson surname or a spelling variation of the name include: John Watson who settled in Virginia in 1620; the same year as the "Mayflower"; Abraham, Alice, Elizabeth, Francis, Joe, Margaret, and William Watson, all settled in Virginia in 1635.



The Wallterson 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: Mea gloria fides
Motto Translation: Fidelity is my glory.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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