This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Water family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Water Family History

Water Surname Meaning

English: variant of Walter a common medieval pronunciation of which was Water. English and German (Rhineland): topographic name for someone who lived by a stretch of water Middle English and Low German water.

Irish: adopted as an English translation of Gaelic Ó Fuartháin (see Foran) being wrongly taken as Ó Fuaruisce which would mean ‘son of cold water’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Water family from?

You can see how Water families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Water family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Water families were found in USA in 1880. In 1911 there were 41 Water families living in Ontario. This was about 27% of all the recorded Water's in Canada. Ontario had the highest population of Water families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Water surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Water ancestors do for a living?

In 1921, Farmer and Stenographer were the top reported jobs for men and women in the Canada named Water. 60% of Water men worked as a Farmer and 100% of Water women worked as a Stenographer.

View Census Data for Water | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1921

  • Farmer
    60%
  • Laborer
    12%
  • Pipe Fitter
    8%
  • Clerk
    8%

Top Female Occupations In 1921

  • Stenographer
    100%

What Water family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 18,000 census records available for the last name Water. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Water census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Water

Passenger Lists

There are 3,000 immigration records available for the last name Water. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Water immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Water. For the veterans among your Water ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Water military records

You've only scratched the surface of Water family history

Discover More

What is the average Water lifespan?

Between 1963 and 2002, in the United States, Water life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2001, and highest in 1968. The average life expectancy for Water in 1963 was 57, and 28 in 2002.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Water

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Water ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Water family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial