UK surname
A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Watler.
In the 1881 census there were 36 people recorded with the Watler surname, ranking it #28,559 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 83, ranked #32,815, down from #28,559 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Margate and Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Watler is 125 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 130.6%.
1881 census count
36
Ranked #28,559
Modern count
83
2016, ranked #32,815
Peak year
1861
125 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Watler surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Watler surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 34 | #27,194 |
| 1861 | historical | 125 | #17,678 |
| 1881 | historical | 36 | #28,559 |
| 1891 | historical | 43 | #30,933 |
| 1901 | historical | 40 | #29,678 |
| 1911 | historical | 50 | #27,806 |
| 1997 | modern | 94 | #27,781 |
| 1998 | modern | 93 | #28,563 |
| 1999 | modern | 93 | #28,711 |
| 2000 | modern | 88 | #29,284 |
| 2001 | modern | 89 | #28,932 |
| 2002 | modern | 90 | #29,314 |
| 2003 | modern | 91 | #29,121 |
| 2004 | modern | 91 | #29,345 |
| 2005 | modern | 85 | #30,219 |
| 2006 | modern | 85 | #30,556 |
| 2007 | modern | 85 | #30,954 |
| 2008 | modern | 92 | #30,286 |
| 2009 | modern | 93 | #30,682 |
| 2010 | modern | 94 | #31,111 |
| 2011 | modern | 91 | #31,442 |
| 2012 | modern | 88 | #32,064 |
| 2013 | modern | 85 | #32,658 |
| 2014 | modern | 84 | #32,823 |
| 2015 | modern | 83 | #32,847 |
| 2016 | modern | 83 | #32,815 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Margate, Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend, Alfreton and Beckenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Margate | Kent |
| 3 | Gravesend, Milton next Gravesend | Kent |
| 4 | Alfreton | Derbyshire |
| 5 | Beckenham | Kent |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Watler surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Watler, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Watler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Watler household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Watler is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Watler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Watler, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Watler has its roots in England and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words "wat" meaning "wet" and "hlinc" meaning "ridge" or "bank." This suggests that the name may have originated from someone who lived near a wet ridge or bank.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, where a John le Watere is mentioned. The variation in spelling, with the addition of the Old English "ere" meaning "dweller," implies that this person lived near a wet area.
In the 14th century, the name appeared as "Wattelere" in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. This spelling is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "wat" and "telere," which means "tiler" or "maker of tiles." It's possible that someone bearing this name was involved in the manufacture or laying of tiles near a wet area.
The Watler surname has also been linked to the place name "Whatley" in Somerset, England. This connection suggests that some individuals with the surname may have originated from or resided in that area.
One notable person with the Watler surname was John Watler, who lived in the 15th century and served as a Member of Parliament for Southwark in 1449.
Another individual of historical significance was Sir Thomas Watler (born c. 1485), who was a prominent merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London during the 16th century.
In the 17th century, William Watler (1610-1680) was a renowned English clergyman and author, known for his theological works.
During the 18th century, the name gained prominence with figures like Edward Watler (1732-1807), a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Southampton.
In the 19th century, Captain John Watler (1820-1895) was a notable English mariner and explorer who led several expeditions to the Arctic regions.
While the Watler surname may have evolved from various sources and spellings over time, its origins can be traced back to the wet and watery landscapes of medieval England, where it likely began as a descriptive identifier for individuals living near such areas.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Watler surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Kent leads with 22 Watlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.90x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | 22 | 18.90x |
| Hertfordshire | 8 | 34.01x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.48x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Margate St John Baptist in Kent leads with 13 Watlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 610.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Margate St John Baptist | 13 | 610.33x |
| Harpenden | 8 | 2222.22x |
| Skinningrove | 5 | 2380.95x |
| Deptford St Paul | 4 | 44.54x |
| Acol | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Minster In Thanet | 2 | 833.33x |
| Ramsgate | 1 | 52.63x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Watler surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Watler surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Watler households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Dairyman | 2 |
| Labourer | 2 |
| Labourer Wife | 2 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Bricklayers Laborer | 1 |
| Carpenter | 1 |
| Daughter Of Servant | 1 |
| Engine Driver Waterworks | 1 |
| Engine Driver Wife | 1 |
| Errand Boy | 1 |
| General Servant | 1 |
| Ironstone Mr | 1 |
| Landress | 1 |
| O Seaman | 1 |
| Ticket Ry Porter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 36 people were recorded with the Watler surname. That placed it at #28,559 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 83 in 2016. That gives Watler a modern rank of #32,815.
A locational surname referring to someone from a place called Watler.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Watler bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.