Werter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Werter

The present generation of the Werter family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Shropshire. The name Werter indicates that the original bearer of the name lived close to a prominent body of water such as a lake or river.

"Water was the normal medieval pronunciation of Walter. Theobald Walter is also called Theobaldus filius Walteri, Theobaldus Walteri and Tebaut Water in the Feet of Fines for Lancashire 1212-1236." 1

Another reputable source has another theory about the origin of the name. "In some dialects, the word water is applied to lakes and rivers, as Ullswater, Derwent-water, Black-water. Upon the adoption of surnames by the common people, a person who resided near such a place would be called William or John Atte-Water, still retained in Attwater; but on the omission of the preposition in the XV. century, the name was pluralized to Waters. The latinizations are De Aqua and Ad Aquam." 2

And another source claims it was "a name given to one who navigated the waters, or resided near them." 3

Ralph Wader of Guader, Earl of Norfolk (fl. 1070), was "son of Ralph the Staller (d. 1066). This Ralph is frequently referred to in Domesday Book as having held various estates, and is twice mentioned as 'Radulfus comes vetus' (ii. 128b, 129), and on one other occasion as 'Radulfus Stalra' and father of Ralph Guader." 4

Early Origins of the Werter family

Early History of the Werter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Werter research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1610, 1731, 1754, 1774, 1777, 1797, 1816, 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Werter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Werter Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Werter include Waters, Water and others.

Early Notables of the Werter family

John Waters FitzGeorge of Newcastle, whose grandson became Count Waters, Baron and Seigneur of Mainsfort in the province of Bery in France. Sir John Waters (1774-1842), Welsh lieutenant-general, was born in 1774 at Tyfry, near Welsh St. Donats, Glamorganshire. His grandfather, Edward Waters of Pittcott, was High Sheriff of Glamorganshire in 1754. His father, whose name is not ascertained, died young, leaving a large family. The Marquis of Bute obtained a commission for the son in the 1st (Royal Scots) foot on 2 Aug. 1797. He was given the colonelcy of the 81st foot on 15 June 1840, and was promoted lieutenant-general...
Another 121 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Werter Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Werter family to Ireland

Some of the Werter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.