Waiters (surname)

Waiters is a surname with origins in England and Germany. In England, it is generally considered an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "waiter," meaning a watchman or guard, someone who kept watch or guarded a town or castle. This is related to the Old French "waitier" and ultimately to Germanic roots.

In Germany, the name "Waiters" and similar variations (e.g., Waiter, Walter) can be patronymic or derived from the given name Walter, which means "powerful ruler" or "commander of the army" (from the Germanic elements wald "rule" and heri "army"). The transition from a given name to a surname occurred over time.

Variants of the name include Waiter, Walter, Watters, and Waters (although Waters can also have topographical origins, referring to someone who lived near water).

Due to migration patterns, the surname Waiters can be found in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and others with significant English and German diaspora populations. Genealogical research is often necessary to determine the precise origin of a particular family bearing the name.