| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Language(s) | English, Norman, German |
| Word/name | English |
| Meaning | Watchman, Guardian, Defender, Protector |
| Region of origin | Europe |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | Wait, Wayte, Waits, Waight, Wächter, |
| See also | Wilhelm/Willem/William (a name also meaning "protector"), Alexander (a name also meaning "defender") |
Waite is an English surname (of Norman origin) and rarely a given name. Its variant forms include Wait, Wayte, Waits and Waight. It is derived from the old high German wahten (to keep watch); it is common in the sense of guard or watchman to all the Teutonic languages, [1] the German wacht, Dutch vaght, Swedish vakt and English watch. When used as a verb, its meaning is "to stay in expectation of"; as a noun, it denotes a minstrel watchmen.
Waite is an occupational name for a watchman either in a town or castle from Anglo-Norman French waite ‘watchman member of the watch’ (of ancient Germanic origin; compare Wachter / Wächter). [2]
The following are named Waite.
