Quait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Quait

What does the name Quait mean?

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the Quait family. Their name comes from the names Wattie and Watty, both of which are pet forms of the personal name Walter. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Bhaididh, which translates as son of Wattie or son of Watty.

Early Origins of the Quait family

The surname Quait was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Quait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quait research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1620 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Quait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quait Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Quait have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. MacWatt, MacWattie, MacWatters, MacQuattie, MacVatt and many more.

Early Notables of the Quait family

More information is included under the topic Early Quait Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Quait family to Ireland

Some of the Quait family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Quait family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Quait family emigrate to North America: George McWatters settled in Philadelphia in 1847; B. McWattey settled in San Francisco in 1752; John and Jane McWhatey settled in New York State in 1811.