Skip to main content

Updated June 9, 2019

Family name origins & meanings

  • English (chiefly Lancashire) : occupational name for a water bailiff, earlier Waterward, from Middle English water + ward ‘guard’. All the early examples occur on the banks of Martin Mere, a large freshwater lake (now drained) in western Lancashire.

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe