Surname Walters - Meaning and Origin
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Journey of Self-Discovery: Unraveling the Walters Legacy Through the iGENEA DNA Test
Diving into the deep waters of my ancestry through an iGENEA DNA test, I encountered a fascinating revelation about the Walters surname and its rich heritage. This personal journey started as a spark of curiosity, but it has since lit a beacon of self-discovery, profoundly affecting my perception of family identity and heritage.
J. Walters
read moreWalters: What does the surname Walters mean?
The surname Walters is of German and English origin and it is derived from the personal name Walter. The name Walter is a composition of the elements "wald" which means 'rule' and "heri" which means 'army'. Therefore, the combined meaning of these two elements results in the interpretation 'ruler of the army'. After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, this name became very popular in England. It then gradually evolved into a surname during the advent of the surname system. So, someone named Walters could potentially be a descendant of a person called Walter, or the surname could signify an ancestral connection to a region or an estate. Over time, Walters would be adopted as a family name and passed on to subsequent generations denoting a lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisWalters: Where does the name Walters come from?
The last name Walters is most commonly found throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it has a relatively high frequency. The states with the highest concentration of the surname are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. Furthermore, the Midwest and South of the United States have much higher frequency rates than other regions.
In the United Kingdom, the highest concentrations are found in counties such as Kent, Norfolk, and Wiltshire. However, the name is not as common as it is in the United States.
The surname is also found in other countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, among others.
The surname Walters originates from England, and it derives from Waltharius, a Germanic personal name composed from the elements “wald” which means "rule," and “heri” which means "army." It is a surname that has become widespread since its origin and has even stimulated the creation of other surnames such as Watlers and Wallers.
As of 2019, data analysis from Ancestry® shows that this surname is not only frequent, but highly popular in the English-speaking world. It ranked 82 in a list of the top 1,000 surnames in the UK, and 248 on a list of the most popular surnames in the US.
Variations of the surname Walters
The Walters surname is of English origin, deriving from the personal name Walter. There are a number of variants, spelling and surnames derived from this surname, such as Wallace, Waterhouse, Waterman, Watterman, Walmsley and Waterfall.
Wallace is a variant spelling of Walters. It is derived from the Old French name Walleys or Walles, which in turn comes from the Germanic personal name Walhal. It is a very common Scottish name and was first used by the Celts before it was brought to Britain by the Normans.
Waterhouse is derived from the Old English name Watlinga, which literally means "dweller on the roads of water". It is common in Yorkshire and is most likely adopted from the Welsh name Watlon or Wallace.
Waterman is a variation of Walters and this surname's origins come from the Olde English word "watterman", or a man who crossed rivers. The medieval form of this name is Waterman, or sometimes Watterman, which was derived from the Olde English word watere.
Watterman is another spelling variant of Walters, derived from the Olde English word watere, meaning river-man or stream-man. This name was most likely adopted by a person who relied on waterways to travel from place to place.
Walmsley is derived from two Old English words, "waels" meaning a stream, and "leah" meaning a meadow or woodland clearing. It is an occupational name for someone who worked as a farmer or fisherman near a water source.
Waterfall is derived from the Middle English word “Wastwater” which refers to a stream or estuary where the water is flowing fast. This surname was most likely adopted by someone living near a river or stream with fast running water.
Famous people with the name Walters
- Barbara Walters: American television journalist, author, and media proprietor
- Tony Walters: former English footballer
- Carter Evans: American journalist and correspondent for CBS News
- Sam Walters: British theatre director
- Rob Walters: American visual effects supervisor
- Elisabeth Walters: American journalist and news anchor
- Mitzi Walters: English television and film actress
- Mark Walters: American baseball player
- James Walters: American actor, producer, and director
- Rich Walters: American hockey player
- Harry Walters: former British swimmer
- Zeyna Walters: American mixed martial arts fighter
- Roy O. Walters: former US Coast Guard admiral
- Donna Walters: American former professional tennis player
- Jennifer Walters: American comic book character, a lawyer and celebrity super-hero