Surname Wachter - Meaning and Origin

Wachter: What does the surname Wachter mean?

The surname Wachter is an occupational surname and signifies an occupation as a veil maker or ‘watcher’. The name derives from the medieval Low German word wachtemeister, which literally means ‘watch-master’.

The ‘watch’which the surname refers to was not a watch worn on the wrist, but a cloth, or veils, which were used to decorate garments, such as cloaks or coats, as well as curtains, tablecloths and other decorative elements of a room.

The term wachtemeister was originally common in northern Germany in the Middle Ages, and people who were skilled in this craft were known as wachtemeisters. They could also weave and make carpets. It is believed that those who adopted the surname Wachterer came from families of weavers, or who worked with woven cloths.

Over time, this occupation changed and evolved, and the surname gradually changed to form new variations, such as Wächter, Wachter, and Wacker.

The surname has since spread worldwide with immigrants, and is found throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. Today, the Wachter surname is still associated with the craft of veil-making, as well as weaving and carpets. It is also sometimes associated with professions such as watchmaker or guard.

Wachter: Where does the name Wachter come from?

The last name Wachter is most commonly found in high concentrations in certain countries in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. It is also quite widespread in South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil.

The origin of the surname Wachter is German and related to the Old High German word "wahtōn," which means "to watch or guard." This suggests that the surname was adopted by thos responsible for the security or surveillance of a certain place. As such, Wachter likely originated as an occupational surname.

However, in recent generations, the name has spread into other countries. The US Census of 2019 reported that Wachter is the 22,154th most common surname in America. There are estimated to be around 8,145 individuals with the surname Wachter living in the US. Additionally, Wachter is a common surname in Canada, where it ranks as the 5,883rd most common last name.

Overall, the surname Wachter is highly concentrated in the countries of Europe along the German-speaking axis. However, it has undergone a degree of dispersal in recent generations, with it now being present in many other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Wachter

The Wachter surname has several different variants, spellings, and surnames that are of the same origin.

The most common forms of the name include Watcher, Wochter, and Wachtler. Watcher is an English variant of Wachter and is derived from the Old English word "wacol" meaning observant. This variant is often found in the United States.

The German and Swiss variants Wochter and Wachtler are derived from the Middle High German word "wachter" meaning watchman or guard. This variant is often found in Germany and Switzerland.

Other related variants of the Wachter surname include Wachteren, Wachters, Wachterman, Wachtere, Wachtes, Wachtermann, Wacther, Wachtrae, Wachtl, and Watters.

Wachteren is a Dutch variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "wachteer" meaning ranger or watchman. This variant is commonly found in The Netherlands.

Wachters is the Dutch and Luxembourgish variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "wacht" meaning guard. This variant is often found in The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium.

Wachterman is a Dutch variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "wachtmeester" meaning captain. This variant is often found in The Netherlands.

Wachtere is a Dutch and Belgian variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle Dutch word "wachteren" meaning dispense or allot. This variant is often found in The Netherlands and Belgium.

Wachtes is an Austrian variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle High German word "wacht" meaning guard. This variant is often found Austria and Bavaria.

Wachtermann is a variant of Wachter derived from the Middle High German word "wachetman" meaning watchman. This variant is often found in Germany.

Wacther is a variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle High German word "wache" meaning guard. This variant is often found in Germany.

Wachtrae is an Alsatian variant of Wachter and is derived from the Alsatian word "wachtreh" meaning watchman. This variant is often found in the Alsace region of France.

Wachtl is a variant of Wachter and is derived from the Middle High German word "wachen" meaning guard. This variant is often found in Upper Austria and Bohemia.

Watters is an English variant of Wachter and is derived from the Old English word "wæccan" meaning to watch. This variant is often found in Scotland.

Famous people with the name Wachter

• David Wachter: a Comics Artist, writer, and colorist who is best known for his work on various Image Comics series, including the ongoing series Burning Fields, Rift Raiders, and Sea of Stars.
• Wilson Wachter: Brazilian entrepreneur and business leader. He is the CEO of WW Group, a diversified portfolio of Brazilian companies specializing in agribusiness, logistics, and consumer products.
• Anne Wachter: she currently serves as the Head of Innovation at Mizuho Financial Group, Japan’s largest financial institution. Wachter is a proponent of diversity in the workplace and a thought leader in innovation and design-thinking.
• Charles F. Wachter Jr.: Wachter was an American lawyer and business executive who served as President and CEO on several corporate boards. He was a past member of boards at both the University of Colorado and at the National Opinion Research Center.
• Wolfgang Wachter– German astrophysicist and professor of astrophysical cosmology at the University of Heidelberg, as well as director of its Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics. His research focuses on cosmology, dark matter, and the formation of galaxies.
• Franz Wachter: Austrian composer, pianist, choirmaster, organist, and conductor, who composed over 430 works, including solo and vocal pieces, concert works, and a variety of chamber music.
• Peter Wachter: American attorney who has provided legal services for companies in the areas of technology, investment, and venture capital. He is also a founder of a venture capital fund and a director of different companies.
• Jacquelyn Wachter: American attorney, who focuses her practice on complex cases involving breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duties, business torts, shareholder disputes, and other areas. She is admitted to the California State Bar.
• Paul Wachter: American business attorney and founder of Main Street Advisors, a financial consulting firm, who was the Financial and Economic Advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• Edmund Wachter: German chess master, author, and editor, who was part of the Dusseldorf Chess Club and had ties to the Niederrheinischer Schachverband. He was also a editor of the 'Dusseldorf Chess Magazine.

Other surnames

WachtWachtmannWachtmeesterWachtmeister