Surname Goldwater - Meaning and Origin
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Goldwater: What does the surname Goldwater mean?
The surname Goldwater is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is an English translation of the Yiddish name "Goldvasser". The name is made up of two components: "Gold", which means the precious metal gold, and "Wasser" or "water", which was used in a metaphorical sense to mean 'precious' or 'valuable'. Thus, the name could be interpreted as 'precious as gold'. This name would have likely been an ornamental surname adopted during the period when European Jews were compelled to adopt surnames for tax and census purposes. Some sources speculate these kind of surnames may have been taken up as a tribute to a revered ancestor, or reflect familial characteristics, professions, or status. "Goldwater" is quite rare globally and is most commonly found in the United States, which has a significant population of Ashkenazi Jews. Given its heritage, this surname is especially associated with the Jewish community. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Barry Goldwater, the 1964 Republican candidate for President of the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisGoldwater: Where does the name Goldwater come from?
The last name Goldwater is of English origin. The roots of the Goldwater family name can be traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England, where it was used as a nickname for a person who has a disputable character. In the medieval era, surnames were developed under a broad and miscellaneous set of sources. Using a nickname was definitely one popular trend. As such, Goldwater is believed to be derived from the Old English “Goldhwæter”, where “gold” means gold and “hwæter” denotes a riddle or problem. The surname suggested how a person was hard to figure out, enigmatic or secretive similar to a riddle.
In terms of geographical distribution, this surname is not extremely common, implying that people with this family name are quite unique. The largest proportion of people with the Goldwater surname are found in the United States today, while a smaller proportion can be observed in England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. This could reflect migration patterns from England to these countries during numerous historical periods.
Variations of the surname Goldwater
The surname Goldwater has Jewish and English origins. Its variants and similar surnames can therefore be seen in surnames originating from these communities.
From the Jewish history, it is a habitational or Ashkenazic ornamental name that represents a place with gold water or 'Goldwasser'. The English variants could possibly be a translation of the Jewish version or vice versa.
Here are some possible variants or surnames of similar origin to Goldwater:
1. Goldwasser: A common alteration, directly translating to "gold water" in German.
2. Gold: This may appear simply as a shortened version of Goldwater.
3. Wasser: Simply means 'water' in German.
4. Golden: Another variation which may be used to substitute 'gold'.
5. Goldstein: A variant meaning 'gold stone', similar in theme to Goldwater.
6. Goldberg: Another variant which occurs as 'gold mountain'.
7. Waters: This English surname could be linked to the 'water' part of Goldwater.
8. Gould: An English surname which could be linked to the 'gold' part of Goldwater.
9. Winter: This might be a related form in English as it is similar when pronounced.
The spelling of Goldwater itself may possibly vary with different use of letters, for example, "Gouldwater", "Goldwator", etc., however, these are less common.
Famous people with the name Goldwater
- Barry Goldwater: A prominent American politician, he was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–65, 1969–87) and the Republican Party's nominee for president in the 1964 election. Known as "Mr. Conservative," Goldwater is credited with having sparked the resurgence of the American conservative political movement in the 1960s.
- Barry Goldwater Jr.: The son of Barry Goldwater, he served as a United States Representative from California from 1969 to 1983.
- Michael Goldwater: Another son of Barry Goldwater, he is recognized for his philanthropic work in Arizona and nationally.
- Joanne Goldwater: The daughter of Barry Goldwater, she is known for her work as an artist and her participation in various charitable causes.
- John Goldwater: Not related to Barry Goldwater, he co-founded and served as editor of Archie Comics.
- Robert Goldwater: An American ethnologist and art historian, known as a specialist in the art of Africa and tribal art. He is unrelated to the political Goldwater family.
- Peggy Goldwater Clay: Daughter of Barry Goldwater, she has been active in many charitable organizations and is a known figure in the world of philanthropy.
- Lisa Goldwater: Another daughter of Barry Goldwater, she is recognized for her contributions to various social causes.