Surname Waterstrat - Meaning and Origin
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Waterstrat: What does the surname Waterstrat mean?
The last name Waterstrat is likely a form of the English surname Waterstradt, which comes from a combination two words: 'water' and 'straet', which is an old Anglo-Saxon term which means road. This term originally referred to someone from a location near a river, ford, bridge or other crossing. Historically, this name may also have been used to refer to someone who lived near a body of running water, and the surname itself likely derives from the location where the family first settled.
The name Waterstradt is an occupational surname and indicates that the original bearer had some connection to water, such as an occupation near a river or stream. It may also have been used to denote a professional who was connected with a waterway such as a lock keeper, ferry captain, mariner or even a bridge tenderer.
Today, those bearing the name Waterstrat are widely dispersed across the world, with family lines tracing back to Europe, and most particularly to England. Although the origin of the name is no longer directly linked to the waterways, those with the last name are thought to have a strong connection to water, speaking to its watery beginnings.
Order DNA origin analysisWaterstrat: Where does the name Waterstrat come from?
The last name Waterstrat is found predominantly in Germany and the Netherlands. According to the Geni World Family Tree, the earliest known Waterstrat goes as far back as 1618 in Cologne, Germany. It has been suggested that Waterstrat was perhaps a variant of the German name Watzstrat and may have first originated in the Bavarian area of Middle Franconia.
Waterstrat is most prevalent in the German states of Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia) and Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), as well as in the Netherlands. It is estimated that there are currently over 3,500 Waterstrats living in Germany, and more than 500 in the Netherlands, although exact numbers may vary as it can be spelled in a variety of ways (Watstrat, Wetstrat, etc).
In North America, there are many Waterstrats who had ancestors who migrated to the United States and Canada from Europe. In the US, large communities of Waterstrats are concentrated in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Outside of Europe and North America, the Waterstrat name can be found from immigrants to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as other countries.
Thus, the last name Waterstrat can still be found across continents today, though it is most notably in Germany and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Waterstrat
Waterstrat is a surname of Dutch origin which can be spelled in several different ways. Typical Dutch variants of this surname include Waterstraat, Waeterstraet, and Waterstraet. There are also a number of associated surnames that come from the same root, such as Waterstradt, Waeterstradt, Waterstrad, Waeterstrad, Waterstraete, Waeterstraete, and Waterstraatje.
The spelling of Dutch surnames can vary from region to region, as well as over time, so even modern spellings of Waterstrat may be slightly different around the world. For example, in more westernized countries, the spelling may be slightly simplified, resulting in such variations as Watstrad, Watstrat, and Watterstrat.
Additionally, many variations of the Dutch surname Waterstrat can also be derived from the Anglicization of the Dutch spelling. For example, the Americanized spelling of Waeterstradt is usually understood to be Waterstrad. Similarly, Waterstraete can be spelled as either Waretraet, Waretstrat, or Watstrat. Other common variations of Waterstrat include Watterstrat, Watestreet, and Wattersstrat.
It is always important to remember the origin of any surname when trying to determine its correct spelling. With a bit of research and a thorough review of the historical records, many different spellings of Waterstrat can be discovered.
Famous people with the name Waterstrat
- Peter Waterstrat: is a famous Dutch filmmaker and director
- Lily Waterstrat: is a British actress and singer
- Emma Waterstrat: is a Canadian fashion model
- Mark Waterstrat: is an American musician, writer, and producer
- Daniel Waterstrat: is an Australian actor
- Jessica Waterstrat: is a musician and songwriter from the UK
- Alex Waterstrat: is a French musician, producer, and DJ
- Jake Waterstrat: is a popular American actor and comedian
- Mike Waterstrat: is a professional English soccer player
- Karen Waterstrat: is a Canadian politician