Surname Waterfohr - Meaning and Origin

Waterfohr: What does the surname Waterfohr mean?

The last name Waterfohr is of German origins. It is derived from the Middle Low German word, “wedervoer”, which literally translates to “oar-ferrying”, indicating a historical origin of being an oar bearer or ferryman - someone who transported goods across bodies of water using oars.

This type of occupation typically encompassed those who were from lower social circles and often involved river travel and ferrying of goods. The patronage of higher social circles including nobility was not common for the occupation and so typically the Waterfohr family held a lower standing in the social hierarchy.

More recently, the surname, Waterfohr, has migrated throughout Europe and the United States. It was first found in Brandenburg in Germany and is likely to have followed migrating German populations, with those bearing the name seeking new opportunities in different countries and cities.

Due to the historical context behind the surname, it is likely that those who bear the name still have entrepreneurial tendencies. Their strong backgrounds in transportation and trade contribute to their industrious nature and make them highly successful in related fields that involve transportation, particularly in the logistics industry, as well as trading and bartering.

Waterfohr: Where does the name Waterfohr come from?

The last name Waterfohr is uncommon, but can still be found in many parts of the world today. Most often, it is found in places with German-speaking populations, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.

In the United States, there are currently about 2,000 people with the last name Waterfohr. These individuals are concentrated primarily in the states of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, each of which has about 500 Waterfohrs. Wisconsin’s Waterfohr population appears to be largely descended from a single family of immigrants in the 1800s.

In Germany, the last name is most common in the state of Hessen, which has about 2,500 Waterfohrs. This concentration of individuals comes from a widespread migration of Waterfohrs out of Hessen in the 19th century, when more and more families were seeking new economic opportunities.

In Austria, Waterfohrs are concentrated in the states of Wien, Tirol, and Salzburg, each of which counted between 250 and 450 people with the last name in 2020. Switzerland also had a small but noticeable concentration of Waterfohrs, with the majority of them residing in the Zurich and Schwyz cantons.

So although it is a rare name, Waterfohr can still be found around the world. Even after centuries of assimilation into different cultures, the name persists in some families with reverberant echoes of its Germanic roots.

Variations of the surname Waterfohr

The surname Waterfohr has several variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin. These include Waterfall, Waterfield, Waterford, Waterforth, Watersford, Wattersford, Watererfohr, Watersfort, Waterwerfohr, Watherfrehr, and Watersfur.

The Waterfohr surname can be traced back to the pre-7th-century Anglo-Saxon word "waeterfohr" which literally means "river ford". This name was likely given to individuals who lived near bodies of water, such as rivers or streams, and had to traverse them regularly.

The Anglo-Saxon language had a strong presence in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. During this time, many names derived from the Old English language, which later became known as Middle English. As a result, many surnames that began as Old English names were combined with other words that were derived from Middle English, leading to the various spellings of Waterfohr.

The word "ford" is a common element in many regional and English surnames, many of which are derived from the old river-crossing sites in England. As such, other major surnames that have the same origin as Waterfohr include Ford, Watford, Waterhouse, Waters, and Weber.

The Waterfohr surname is relatively rare, however, the various spelling variations of the same name are still in use today.

Famous people with the name Waterfohr

• Quincy Waterfohr: Actor best known for her role in Tierney Road (2019)
• Lee Waterfohr: Acclaimed folk musician and singer-songwriter
• Charlotte Waterfohr: Award-winning documentary filmmaker
• Coen Waterfohr: Professional golfer and coach
• Will Waterfohr: Olympic speed skater who won a bronze medal in the Dutch short track team event at the 1998 Winter Olympics
• Nathan Waterfohr: Famous artist and sculptor
• Emily Waterfohr: Award-winning novelist
• Michael Waterfohr: Major league baseball player and former minor league coach
• Ryan Waterfohr: Professional ice hockey player in the AHL
• George Waterfohr: Professor of Environmental Studies at New York University
• Eli Waterfohr: Professional bull rider and rodeo champion
• Brandi Waterfohr: Award-winning photographer and philanthropist
• Zac Waterfohr: Professional video game streamer and eSports caster
• Jeff Waterfohr: Award-winning investigative journalist
• Abbie Waterfohr: Basketball player and coach, member of the WNBA Hall of Fame

Other surnames

Wa'ilWaagWaageWaagemannsWaagemeesterWaagenerWaagmannWaagmeesterWaagnerWaalkensWaalkesWaaserWaasmaierWaasmeierWaasnerWaatsackWabbalsWabbelWabbelsWabelsWaberWäberWacaserWacasterWachaufWachenschwanzWachmannWachmeisterWachobWachsmund