Surname Waltor - Meaning and Origin

Waltor: What does the surname Waltor mean?

The surname Waltor is a variant of Walter, which has its roots in the Germanic name 'Walthari'. The word 'walthari' consists of two elements - 'wald' which means 'to rule’ and 'hari' which means 'army'. Thus, the surname Waltor can be interpreted ultimately as 'ruler of the army'. The name came into use in the English-speaking world in the Middle Ages and was popularized by the Normans. As a surname, it could have been passed down as a patronymic name (from father to son), or it could have originated as an occupational or locative name i.e., based on a person’s job or place of residence. Since surnames can have various origins, a definitive meaning outside of its linguistic roots may not exist for Waltor. It's also important to remember the variations and spelling of surnames can change over centuries and across regions.

Waltor: Where does the name Waltor come from?

The last name Waltor is most often found in the United States and Canada, with pockets of families in Mexico, Brazil, and other countries throughout Latin America. The surname is of German origin, specifically Bavaria, and is thought to refer to a "watchman" or "renter".

In America, Waltor is most common in the Midwest, especially Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and the greater Chicago area. It is also found in California, Pennsylvania, and other eastern states.

This might be because of the waves of German immigrants who journeyed to America in the 1800s, looking to escape political and religious wars in their home countries. Many chose to settle in Midwestern states due to the area's reputation as a bastion of peace and opportunity. Indeed, these states also had the most land available for farming and other development.

In modern times, the Waltor name is common within people who already have it, but uncommon among the general population. Many of the Waltor families still living in America today are descendants of the original German immigrants who settled in the Midwest centuries ago. As the generations have passed, the last name has likely been modified in some cases, but it has still been passed down and tracked through the generations.

Variations of the surname Waltor

The surname Waltor is a variant of a number of spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Walther, Walter, Walters, Watteau, Watters, and Walton.

Walther is a surname derived from the Germanic given name Walter, and the suffix "-dark". The given name itself comes from the Old High German word wald-heri (“leader of the army”). The surname version of this comes from the patronymic "son of Walter", much like Johnson, or the French version "fils de Walter" in its literal form. The Walther surname has also been found in England and Scotland, as well as Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland.

Walter is a German and English version of the Old German name Walther, from the Old High German word wald-heri, meaning “commander of the army” or “ruler of the world”. It has been found to be present in England and Scotland since the 13th century. It is primarily found as offshoots of the Walther surname, most likely adopted by the son of a Walter in the Middle Ages, when surnames were adopted.

Walters is an English surname derived from Walter, and is more commonly found along the eastern coast of the United States, with some present in Canada. The Walters surname likely came about when sons of a Walter adopted and created a separate form of its original spelling as their surname.

Watteau is an Anglo-Norman surname adopted by French families during the late medieval period. It is thought to have been derived from the Old French given name Watteau, itself derived from Walter. Watteau was eventually Anglicized into the present-day Walters surname.

Watters is a variation of the given name Walter, and the suffix "-ters". The contemporary surname Waltters likely came about as a patronymic, when the son of a Walter adopted the new name for himself.

Lastly, Walton is a habitational surname derived from the Old English personal name Waela meaning “spring” or “stream”. The Old English toponym “Waletun” may have been the origin of the surname, but the given name itself likely originated as a short form of Walter. It is primarily found in Britain, with some present in Canada.

Famous people with the name Waltor

• Mandy Walter: American actress
• Marcus Walthor: American football player
• Bree Walker: American journalist, TV personality and disability rights activist
• Dwayne Walter: American basketball player
• Scott Walthor: American actor
• Cornelius Walter: American football coach
• Walter Emanuel Jones: American actor
• Natascha Walter: German actress
• Kim Waltor: British field hockey player
• David Walter: Austrian clarinet soloist

Other surnames

Walton