A male name. Old German Waldhar, compound of vald ‘rule’ and harja ‘folk’. It was a favourite with the Normans, and was introduced by them into England at the time of the Conquest. The corresponding Old English name Wealdhere was never common. Walter has been in use ever since its introduction, and gave rise to the surnames Walter, Walters, Watt, Watts, Watkin, Watson, Waters, Gwatkin, &c. Wat was the usual abbreviation until the 17th C, and apparently the full name was pronounced Water (cf. Shakespeare’s 2 Hen VI, IV. i. 31-5).

Walterus, Walterius Domesday Book 1086, Curia Regis Rolls 1196- 1220. Galterus, Gualterus, Galterius, Gualterius Domesday Book 1086. Walter Hundred Rolls 1273. Wauter Writs of Parliament 1313, Exchequer Rolls 1306. Water English Register of Oseney Abbey, c. 1460 (E.E.T.S. 133-4) 1460, Church Registers of St. Dionis, Backchurch, 1538-1754 1579, Church Registers of St. Antholin, Budge Row, 1538-1754 1563. Gwalter S’ Antholin 1640. Gualter Church Registers of St. James’s, Clerkenwell, 1551-1754 1688.

A male name. Old German Waldhar, compound of vald ‘rule’ and harja ‘folk’. It was a favourite with the Normans, and was introduced by them into England at the time of the Conquest. The corresponding Old English name Wealdhere was never common. Walter has been in use ever since its introduction, and gave rise to the surnames Walter, Walters, Watt, Watts, Watkin, Watson, Waters, Gwatkin, &c. Wat was the usual abbreviation until the 17th C, and apparently the full name was pronounced Water (cf. Shakespeare’s 2 Hen VI, IV. i. 31-5).

Walterus, Walterius Domesday Book 1086, Curia Regis Rolls 1196- 1220. Galterus, Gualterus, Galterius, Gualterius Domesday Book 1086. Walter Hundred Rolls 1273. Wauter Writs of Parliament 1313, Exchequer Rolls 1306. Water English Register of Oseney Abbey, c. 1460 (E.E.T.S. 133-4) 1460, Church Registers of St. Dionis, Backchurch, 1538-1754 1579, Church Registers of St. Antholin, Budge Row, 1538-1754 1563. Gwalter S’ Antholin 1640. Gualter Church Registers of St. James’s, Clerkenwell, 1551-1754 1688.

This is the most notable of, the predominant among, the names (mostly m.) based on mainly Teutonic words denoting power. In Frankish, it means ‘powerful warrior’; its first great representative was Waldheri, a young Aquitanian prince in the Chanson de Roland; it attained glorious sanctity, ca. 990, through a monk of the dukedom of Aquitaine, and as he was followed by two other Saints so named, he and they caused it to be spread far and wide; it was common in both Normandy and England at the time of the Conquest. Its German form is Waltier or Gualtier; its French, Gautier. (Yonge; Swan.)

Some derive this name from the Greek wald-her, the lord or master of a wood; Wachter translates it ‘negotiorium gestor,’ a transactor of business; from walt, administer rei privatæ, presertim alienæ, a manager of private business, especially that of another. It is more probably from walt her, powerful lord.

Teutonic (masculine) - Chief of an army.

A Teutonic name, meaning: Powerful ruler: army ruler.