Watts

This is an Anglo-Scottish surname but of Norman-French and Germanic pre 7th century origins. Recorded as Walt, Watt, the diminutive Wattin, and the patronymics Watson, Wattins, Wattis, Watts, however spelt it derives from the popular medieval given name Walter. This was introduced into both England and Scotland by the Normans in the form Wattier or Wautier a compound of the Germanic elements "wald", meaning to rule and "heri"- an army. The original personal name gave rise to many surname variations as well as the double diminutives such as Watkinson, Watkins, and Watkiss. The surname is Scotland is particularly associated with Aberdeenshire where the first recording is that of Wat of Carnegy in 1446, whilst the family of Watts of Rosehill, were supporters of Kings James V1 in 1596, where they distinguished themselves in battle. Amongst the interesting recordings associated with the name is that of Roger Wattys of Suffolk in 1381 whilst David Watt was an early settler in the New World. He was recorded as being a landowner in the parish of Christchurch, in the Barbadoes, in 1680. It is said that there are no less than sixteen coats of arms granted to holders of this surname, that of Francis Watts of Vincent Square, Westminster, is Ermine, two lions argent, on a chief gules, three arrows conjoined, the crest being a silver greyhound sejant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Wattes. This was dated 1279, in the "Hundred Rolls" of the county of Oxfordshire, during the reign of King Edward 1st of England, 1272 - 1307. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.