Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with Wa

The surname Waite has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English word "waite," which means "watchman" or "guard." This occupational surname likely emerged during the medieval period, when surnames began to be adopted for identification purposes. The earliest records of the surname date back to the 13th century, with individuals bearing the name often associated with roles in law enforcement or local governance, reflecting a social role that involved vigilance and protection.

The surname Wakefield has its origins in England, deriving from the Old English words "wacu" (meaning "watch" or "vigil") and "feld" (meaning "open land" or "field"). The name is believed to have first appeared in the 12th century, associated with the town of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, which was historically significant as a market town and a center for wool production.

The surname Wallis has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old French term "Waleis," which means "Welshman" or "foreigner." It first appeared in the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French names were introduced into England. The name is often associated with individuals who may have come from Wales or had connections to Welsh ancestry.

The surname Walls has its historical origins rooted in the Old English word "weall," which means "a wall" or "a rampart." This suggests that the name may have originally been a topographical surname for someone who lived near a significant wall or fortification, or it could have been a nickname for someone who worked as a builder or caretaker of such structures. The surname is believed to have first appeared in England during the medieval period, with records dating back to the 13th century.

The surname Waterman has its historical roots in England, where it first appeared in the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English term "wæterman," which translates to "waterman" or "one who works with water," often referring to individuals who were involved in occupations related to water, such as fishermen, boatmen, or those who managed water transport.

The surname Waddell has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly in the region of Lanarkshire, where it is believed to have originated in the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English personal name "Wad," which means "to wade," combined with the suffix "-ell," indicating a diminutive form.

The surname Wadsworth has its historical roots in England, specifically deriving from the Old English elements "wæd," meaning "a ford," and "worth," meaning "enclosure" or "homestead." This suggests that the name originally referred to someone who lived near a ford or a homestead by a river. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century, with variations appearing in various historical documents.

The surname Waldron has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old English personal name "Waldhere," which means "ruler of the army." The name first appeared in written records in the 12th century, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Over time, the surname evolved, with variations such as Walderon and Waldrun emerging.

The surname Waring has its historical roots in England, with origins tracing back to the Old English personal name "Wæring," which means "the one who is watchful" or "the guardian." The name is believed to have first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, and was often associated with individuals who held roles as watchmen or guardians of land. Over time, the surname evolved, with various spellings emerging, including Waringe and Warington, reflecting regional dialects and phonetic changes.

The surname Walden has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English elements "wald," meaning "forest" or "wood," and "denu," meaning "valley." This suggests that the original bearers of the surname may have lived near a wooded valley or were associated with such geographical features.

The surname Waugh has its historical roots in Scotland, particularly in the region of Fife, where it is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "badh," meaning "a bog" or "a marsh." This suggests that the name may have been used to describe individuals who lived near such geographical features. The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century, and over time, it became associated with various occupations, including farming and land management, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of early Scottish society.

The surname Watanabe has its roots in Japan, where it is believed to have originated during the Heian period (794-1185). The name is derived from the Japanese words "wata," meaning "cotton," and "nabe," which translates to "pot" or "container." Historically, the Watanabe family was associated with various occupations, including farming and textile production, reflecting the agrarian society of early Japan.

The surname Wainwright has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old English term "wain" meaning "wagon" and "wyrhta," which translates to "worker" or "maker." This indicates that the original bearers of the surname were likely involved in the trade of wagon-making or related crafts, a vital occupation in medieval society as transportation was crucial for trade and agriculture. The surname first appeared in written records in the 13th century, particularly in the northern regions of England, where the demand for skilled craftsmen was high.

The surname Warwick has its historical roots in England, specifically deriving from the Old English elements "wer" meaning "man" and "wic" meaning "dairy farm" or "settlement." The name is most commonly associated with the town of Warwick in Warwickshire, which dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. The earliest recorded instance of the surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was used to denote individuals from this area.

The surname Way has its historical roots primarily in England, where it is believed to have originated from the Old English word "weg," meaning "way" or "path." This suggests that the name may have been used to denote someone who lived near a road or pathway, or perhaps someone who was involved in the construction or maintenance of such routes. The surname can be traced back to the medieval period, with records indicating its presence in various forms as early as the 13th century.

The surname Wahl has its roots in Germanic and Scandinavian cultures, deriving from the Old High German word "walah," which means "foreigner" or "stranger." It is believed to have first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany and Scandinavia. Over time, the surname evolved, often associated with individuals who were involved in trade or migration, reflecting the movement of people across borders.

The surname Wagoner has its historical roots in the Old English and Middle English terms related to the occupation of a wagon driver or cartwright, deriving from the word "wagon," which itself has Germanic origins. The name likely first appeared in England during the medieval period, around the 12th century, when surnames began to be adopted based on occupations.

The surname Warden has its historical roots in England, deriving from the Old French word "warden," which means "guardian" or "watchman." It first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, when it was often associated with individuals who held positions of authority or responsibility, such as wardens of castles, churches, or other significant establishments. The name likely developed as a title for those tasked with overseeing the safety and management of these places, reflecting a social role that was both respected and essential in feudal society.

The surname Warburton has its historical roots in England, specifically deriving from the Old English elements "wer," meaning "man," and "burh," meaning "fortress" or "town." The name is believed to have originated from the village of Warburton in Cheshire, where it first appeared in historical records during the medieval period. The surname likely developed as a locational identifier for individuals or families residing in or near this area.

The surname Wales has its historical roots in the Old English term "Wealas," which referred to the Celtic inhabitants of Britain, particularly the Welsh people. The name emerged in the early medieval period, around the 9th century, as Anglo-Saxon settlers began to differentiate between themselves and the native Celtic populations.