Surname Wauter - Meaning and Origin

Wauter: What does the surname Wauter mean?

The surname Wauter is of German origin, and is a form of the name Walter. It is believed to have originated from the Middle High German word ‘wald’ meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’.

The surname Wauter has been found in records in Germany, England, the United States of America and Canada, though many of these have been altered with the passage of time.

The name Walter is thought to have begun as a title of honor and respect and the name Wauter is an inherited and hereditary surname. It was common for medieval knights to use their knightly title as a surname, and this is likely the origin of the name Wauter.

In Germany, the surname is still widely used and is thought to have at least two distinct lines, one originating in Baden-Wurttemberg, and the other from Silesia in modern-day Poland.

The Wauter surname is likely derived from words meaning ‘strong’ and ‘army’ and the name itself was likely adopted by knights who served bravely and with honor and was then passed down through the generations.

Today, the surname is still found around the world, primarily in numerous North American and European countries. It is an indicator of a strong and powerful lineage which could have gone back centuries.

Wauter: Where does the name Wauter come from?

The last name Wauter is common today in parts of North America. It is most prevalent in the United States, but is also found in some Canadian provinces including Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.

In the US, the highest concentration is in the state of Texas. The name Wauter can also be found in the Midwest states of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

The name is originally from Germany, where it is quite common in the northern parts, from Bremen in the northwest to Bavaria in the southeast. It was first brought to North America by German immigrants who settled in the United States and Canada in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Wauter is also found in small numbers in the UK, particularly in Scotland. It is likely these families originate from those German families who moved to Britain in the late 19th century.

The name Wauter is often found in the records as Wagner, Watteau, Wuttke and Wattier. It is sometimes misinterpreted as Wouter, which is a variant Dutch spelling of the same name.

Variations of the surname Wauter

The surname Wauter is of German origin, and is alternatively spelled Wauter, Wouter, Wauters, Wouters, and Wauterse.

The Wauter spelling is most commonly seen in Flemish Belgium and Dutch areas. In the example of Flanders specifically, it was popularized by the spread of French in the region from the 1500's onward. Variations in spelling of the Flemish form, such as Wauters and Wauterse, are variations of the French influence on the name.

The Wouter spelling is most commonly seen in German speaking areas. It is the German variation of the surname and is thought to have derived from the German given name Wouter, which is a shortened form of Wilhelm (or William). Other spellings of this form include Wouters and Wouten.

In England, Wauter is the most common spelling. This form of the surname is thought to have entered England through Dutch settlers arriving in the 1600's. It is believed to have originated from the Dutch name "van Wauter", which is the dutch equivalent to the Flemish "van Waute".

The surname Wauter is sometimes found in areas of the United States, most likely as a result of immigration from Europe. In the U.S., all of the above spelling variants may be seen.

Famous people with the name Wauter

• Emmy Wauters, Belgian fashion designer
• Jessica Wauters, centerpiece for a 2019 art exhibit
• Christine Wauters, Belgian actor
• Sylvia Wauters, professional cyclist
• Eva Wauters, Belgian philosopher
• Louise Wauters, award-winning painter
• Milly Wauters, Belgian Olympic swimmer
• Hanna Wauters, Dutch figure skater
• Marijke Wauters, Belgian equestrian champion
• August Wauters, Swiss-American inventor

Other surnames

Wauters