Surname Wottawah - Meaning and Origin

Wottawah: What does the surname Wottawah mean?

The last name Wottawah is an anglicization of the Finnish or Swedish surname Wotruba, which is derived from the German surname Wottawa. The name is believed to have originated from the Old German word "gewatra", which means watchman. This could indicate an occupational name for a sentry or a watchman in a guard tower, or it could refer to a guardian or keeper of some kind.

In Finland, the name Wotruba is likely a variant of Votro, which is a Finnish form of the German name Walter. This name could be from the given name Walter or possibly from the name Valtion, meaning state or authority.

In Sweden, the name Wottawa is a variant of the Swedish last name Wotzawa, which is derived from the personal given name Viktor, Latin form of the Greek name Vittorios. This name means “victor” or “conqueror”.

The meaning of the last name Wottawah can therefore be interpreted to mean "guardian", "watchman", "state or authority" or "victor".

Wottawah: Where does the name Wottawah come from?

The last name Wottawah is primarily found in Canada, with a small number of individuals also living in the United States. It is an Indigenous Canadian name, which is why it is more commonly found in Canada than many other places.

The Wottawah family is of Mi'kmaw origin, the most populous Indigenous group in the Atlantic provinces of Canada. Historically, they had a heavy presence in present-day Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.

The Wottawah people were renowned for their artistry, particularly in traditional basket-making. They were also known for their intricate silver jewelry, which is still popular today.

In more recent years, the Wottawas have spread across the country, with members living in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as distant US states such as Florida and Texas. They remain heavily connected to their Indigenous heritage and many still practice traditions like basket-making and other forms of art.

The Wottawahs are a vibrant part of modern Canadian culture and they continue to make a lasting impact through their passionate art, unique language, and unwavering dedication to their heritage and culture.

Variations of the surname Wottawah

Wottawah is an uncommon surname of Native American origin which is believed to be derived from the Fox Indians. The Fox Indians were a tribe of the Algonquin nation. The variants of this name include Wodawah, Wotawah, Wottawachee, Wottowah, Wodawachee, Wataowa, Wattawah, Waddawah, Wottah and Wattowa.

Spellings of this surname vary depending on the type of language. In English, the surname is usually spelled Wottawah, Wotawah or Wottowah. In French, the spelling is Wodawah and when translated into German, the spelling is Wodawachee.

The surnames which are related to Wottawah are numerous, bearing similar root names. Examples include Woda, Wada, Wadda, Wadao, Watao, Watto, Wotto and Watoo.

In addition, there are numerous spelling variations of the name around the world. This range from Wotaw, Woda, Wotta, Woota or Wata.

It is important to note that this name is not as popular as many other surnames but its origin is deeply rooted in Algonquin culture. Therefore, it is a unique and significant part of Native American heritage.

Famous people with the name Wottawah

• Roscoe Wottawah: American football defensive back who played for the Minnesota Vikings
• Mike Wottawah: Canadian aboriginal artist from the community of Fort Providence, Northwest Territories
• Wotawah Tiyip: Chinese linguist and minority language expert
• Brett Wottawah: Canadian fashion designer, founder and CEO of Present Day Design
• Britney Wottawah: former WNBA player
• Brian Wottawah: former NFL player for the Los Angeles Rams
• Shelby Wottawah: professional snowboarder, chosen for the US team for the 2022 Winter Olympics
• Sitka Wottawah: First Nations high school teacher and activist from Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
• Yukon Wottawah: Canadian videogame developer and entrepreneur
• Martha Wottawah: Autralian actress

Other surnames

Wottawa