Surname Waterstraat - Meaning and Origin
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Waterstraat: What does the surname Waterstraat mean?
The last name Waterstraat is an occupational surname of Dutch origin, derived from the Dutch words “water” and “straat” which translate to "water" and "street" respectively. This surname was given to those who lived or worked close to a river, stream, or canal, and was likely used by families who owned businesses such as mills, irrigation systems, waterwheels, or boating services. The term Waterstraat became an indicator of status and prestige because of the wealth and success that typically came with the occupation and proximity to a water source. It was also used frequently for families that lived on King’s or Lord’s estates close to a waterway.
Today, the last name Waterstraat is quite common. It’s used in countries all across the Netherlands and can also be found throughout Europe and the United States. In America, many are descendants of Dutch immigrants and still trace their roots back to Dutch ancestors. In Dutch society, families with the Waterstraat name are typically well-respected and often have ties to the communities in which they live.
The last name Waterstraat is a unique name that stands out among many others and symbolizes one’s connection to a long and proud Dutch heritage. It’s a reminder of the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity that made Dutch immigrants successful in their new home. The name is also a reminder of the proximity to resources that gave many of these families an edge in their business ventures during the era of Dutch colonization.
Order DNA origin analysisWaterstraat: Where does the name Waterstraat come from?
The last name Waterstraat is most commonly seen in the Netherlands, where it is listed as a top 200 surname. While the origin of the Waterstraat surname is unknown, it is conceivable that it was derived from a Dutch word that means ‘water street’, implying it was first used to refer to someone who lived near a waterway. Additionally, there is some speculation that Waterstraat could have derived from a geographical name, where it would have described a road, street, or location associated with or near a body of water.
In the Netherlands, there are still many people with the Waterstraat surname. Recent Netherlands population records show approximately 6,500 people with the last name Waterstraat, indicating its prevalence in the country. Notably, the number of Waterstraat individuals has been on the increase over the past two decades, with a current growth rate of 0.3% each year.
In addition to being one of the most common surnames in the Netherlands, there are also sizable populations of Waterstraat families in Belgium, where the surname ranks well within the top 500 list of most popular names. Additionally, a few hundred cases of the Waterstraat surname have been reported in the U.S., including Texas, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, and a few other states.
Variations of the surname Waterstraat
The Waterstraat surname is a Dutch patronymic, and is an occupational name used to describe a person who owned or worked on a waterway. Variants of this surname include Waterstrate, Weterstraet and Vetstraet. Many families that carry the name have immigrated to other countries throughout the centuries, which could account for some of the spelling and pronunciation variations.
In some cases, the Waterstraat surname has evolved over time, becoming distorted to arrive at its modern form. This phenomenon can be seen in the Americanized variants Weterstadt and Wetterstein. These variations stem from the original German form Wasserstein, meaning ‘water stone’. Another related name is Wasserström, which developed from the combination of ‘water’ and ‘streams’ in German.
Variations of Waterstraat are seen around the world, with the name being adopted by both families of Dutch and German descent. In the Southeastern United States, the name has taken on a Southern pronunciation as Watershot. The common Dutch form of the name is Waterstraete, while in Italy the spelling is Vatstraet. In Russia, the name appears as Ватерстрат and in Poland, the form is Watrastrada.
In some instances, the surname has taken on the form of a compound name, such as Waterstraat-Eerland or Waterstraat-Westerkamp. This type of surname is formed when two distinct names are joined together as the father’s given name and the mother’s maiden name. Other surnames that are derived from the Waterstraat surname are Waterstraatman, Waterstraath and Waterstraatjes.
Famous people with the name Waterstraat
- Jim Waterstraat: American football player, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1977
- Richard Waterstraat: German author and playwright
- Stefan Waterstraat: Dutch cyclist, won bronze at the 1896 Summer Olympics
- Harry Waterstraat: Dutch footballer, played for Feyenoord Rotterdam
- Chris Waterstraat: Dutch former professional road cyclist
- Anita Waterstraat: Dutch gymnast, won gold medal at the 1922 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- Wim Waterstraat: Dutch painter, associated with the Dutch Nieuwe Scouting movement
- Gerrit Waterstraat: Dutch professional baseball player, played in the Dutch Elite League
- Micky Waterstraat: Dutch actor, starring in a few Dutch films
- Hilda Waterstraat: Dutch film actress, known for her performances in several silent films