Waters History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Waters

What does the name Waters mean?

The name Waters belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in Shropshire. The name Waters indicates that the original bearer of the name lived close to a prominent body of water such as a lake or river.

"Water was the normal medieval pronunciation of Walter. Theobald Walter is also called Theobaldus filius Walteri, Theobaldus Walteri and Tebaut Water in the Feet of Fines for Lancashire 1212-1236." 1

Another reputable source has another theory about the origin of the name. "In some dialects, the word water is applied to lakes and rivers, as Ullswater, Derwent-water, Black-water. Upon the adoption of surnames by the common people, a person who resided near such a place would be called William or John Atte-Water, still retained in Attwater; but on the omission of the preposition in the XV. century, the name was pluralized to Waters. The latinizations are De Aqua and Ad Aquam." 2

And another source claims it was "a name given to one who navigated the waters, or resided near them." 3

Ralph Wader of Guader, Earl of Norfolk (fl. 1070), was "son of Ralph the Staller (d. 1066). This Ralph is frequently referred to in Domesday Book as having held various estates, and is twice mentioned as 'Radulfus comes vetus' (ii. 128b, 129), and on one other occasion as 'Radulfus Stalra' and father of Ralph Guader." 4

Early Origins of the Waters family

The surname Waters was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, in Ludlow, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Waterus de Cantelupo was listed in Lincolnshire in c. 1135; and later John Watter was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Warwickshire in 1214. Richard Wauter and Roger Water were found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and a few years later, Hugh Water was listed in the Assize Rolls for Northumberland in 1279. Alice Waters was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327 and John Wauters was listed in Warwickshire in 1348. 1

Early History of the Waters family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waters research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1610, 1731, 1754, 1774, 1777, 1797, 1816, 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Waters History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waters Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Waters include Waters, Water and others.

Early Notables of the Waters family

Notables of the family at this time include

John Waters FitzGeorge of Newcastle, whose grandson became Count Waters, Baron and Seigneur of Mainsfort in the province of Bery in France
Sir John Waters (1774-1842), Welsh lieutenant-general, was born in 1774 at Tyfry, near Welsh St. Donats, Glamorganshire. His grandfather, Edward Waters of Pittcott, was High Sheriff of Glamorganshire...
Daniel Waters (1731-1816) was an American officer in the Continental Navy and in the United States Navy, born on June 20, 1731, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was one of the "minutemen" who engaged...

Waters World Ranking

In the United States, the name Waters is the 429^th most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Waters is ranked the 252^nd most popular surname with an estimated 13,768 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Waters is the 350^th popular surname with an estimated 1,816 people with that name. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Waters as 381^st with 16,725 people. 8

Migration of the Waters family to Ireland

Some of the Waters family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waters migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Waters were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Waters Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Lt. Edward Waters, aged 40, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, they managed to build a new ship to continue to Jamestown in 1610. 9
Grace Waters, who landed in Virginia in 1618 aboard the ship "Diana" 9
Merry Waters, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1632 9
Lawrence Waters, who arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635 9
Mr. John Waters of Suffolk who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet, found in Charlestown 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Waters Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Phillimond Waters, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 9
Charles Waters, who arrived in Virginia in 1718 9

Waters Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Waters, who landed in New York, NY in 1810 9
Archibald Waters, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 9
Roger Waters, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 9
John D Waters, who arrived in New York in 1827 9
Humphrey Waters, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1840 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Waters migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waters Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Waters, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1708
Samuel Waters was married in St. John's Newfoundland in 1709 11
Mr. Abijah Waters U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he became a Freeman in 1785 was a Cordwainer 12
Mr. Abraham Waters U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Mr. Daniel Waters U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12

Waters Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Miss. Helen Waters, aged 18 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but she died on board 13
Mrs. Jane Waters, aged 60 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Numa" departing 2nd June 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 27th July 1847 but she died on board 13
Miss. Mary Waters, aged 3 years 5 months who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Richard Watson" departing 13th September 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th November 1847 but she died on board 13
Miss. Mary Ann Waters, aged 14 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Yorkshire" departing 9th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 10th August 1847 but she died on board 13
Mr. Patrick Waters, aged 10 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Richard Watson" departing 13th September 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 8th November 1847 but he died on board 13

Waters migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Waters Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Waters, (b. 1790), aged 25, English convict who was convicted in Chester, Cheshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1817 14
Mr. James Waters, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. George Waters, English convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Mr. Thomas Waters, Welsh convict who was convicted in Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales for life, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 16
Michael Waters, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on July 3, 1822, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Waters migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Waters Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Waters, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1840
G Waters, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Birman
Thomas Waters, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1842 aboard the ship Birman
George Waters, aged 30, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Susan Waters, aged 28, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Waters migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 18

Waters Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Waters, who was aboard the ship "Sea Venture" who wrecked in Bermudas in 1609, here there is some confusion, but it is believed he killed Edward Samuel and deserted in Bermuda 19
Giles Waters, who settled in Jamaica in 1663 with Henry

Contemporary Notables of the name Waters (post 1700) +

Ethel Waters (1896-1977), American blues vocalist and actress
Crystal Waters (b. 1964), American singer/songwriter
Anthony Waters (b. 1985), American NFL football linebacker
Alice Waters (b. 1944), American chef
Cass B. Waters, American politician, Supervisor of Holly Township, Michigan, 1933-55 20
Carl D. Waters, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana 5th District, 1998 20
Mrs. C. C. Waters, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1924 20
Byron Waters (1849-1934), American politician, Member of California State Assembly 1st District, 1877-80 20
Baxter Waters, American Democratic Party politician, Elected Missouri State House of Representatives from Clay County 1950 20
Barbara A. Waters (b. 1935), American politician, Mayor of Petoskey, Michigan, 1974-76 20
... (Another 74 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Waters family +

Halifax Explosion

Master Peter John Waters (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21
Mr. Peter Joseph Waters (1880-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 21

HMS Cornwall

Dennis Edgar Waters (d. 1942), British Petty Officer Writer aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 22

HMS Hood

Mr. William F Waters (b. 1909), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Throckley, Northumberland, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 23

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Nicholas Waters, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24
Mr. George A Waters, British Chief Mechanical, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 24

HMS Repulse

Mr. Horace Waters, British Petty Officer Supply, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking 25
Mr. Ronald George Mascott Waters, British Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed aboard the HMS Sultan and died in 1944 25

RMS Lusitania

Miss Katherine W. Waters, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Elcentra, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26
Miss Margaret Waters, Irish 2nd Class passenger residing in Elcentra, California, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 26

USS Indianapolis

Jack Lee Waters, American crew member on board the ship "USS Indianapolis" when she was on a top secret trip for the first nuclear weapon, she was sunk by Japanese Navy on 30th July 1945, he was one of the many who were killed in the sinking due to exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks 27

Sources +

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Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 98)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/caledonia
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1822 with 155 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1822
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Final Crew List, retrieved 2021, October 30th Retrieved from https://www.ussindianapolis.com/final-crew