Map of Wales showing where the Waters arms are recorded
The Waters arms were recorded in Carmarthen, c. 1647.
Carmarthenshire was south-west Welsh country of river valleys and hill farms. Land was held in a great many small estates, and each one brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Wales in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Wales when the Waters arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Carmarthen.
Origin & History of the Waters Family in Wales
The surname Waters is a topographical name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a specific body of water, such as a river or a stream. In the context of Wales, the name became established as families settled in fertile areas near the coast and inland waterways. By 1647, records confirm that members of the Waters family were well-established in the town of Carmarthen. This location was a significant administrative and commercial hub in South Wales during the seventeenth century. Families living in Carmarthen at this time were often involved in the local trade and agricultural networks that defined the region. As the name spread throughout the Welsh counties, it evolved from a simple description of a person's home into a permanent family identifier passed down through generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. three bars wavy betw. as many swans ar”
KentLenham · Kent, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Waters arms are recorded
The Waters arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Wales when the Waters arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kent.
Origin & History of the Waters Family in England
The surname Waters is classified as a topographical name, which means it was originally given to people who lived near a prominent body of water, such as a stream, a river, or a lake. In medieval England, surnames often developed from the specific landscape features that defined a person's home or farm. By the time the family was recorded in Kent in 1620, the name had already been established for several generations as a way to identify individuals by their proximity to local water sources. During the seventeenth century, Kent was a bustling region with many ports and agricultural communities, making it an ideal place for families to settle and grow. The name reflects a time when geography played a central role in how people were identified within their local parishes and communities.
Waters Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Walter
Derived from the Germanic elements meaning power and army ruler.
This name
WatersA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Walter.
also spelled
Watteres
Wataris
Wateris
Related arms
Watersame arms
Broomerecorded with Waters, same area
Brownerecorded with Waters, same area
Fisherrecorded with Waters, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Charles, B. G., The Place-Names of Pembrokeshire, 1992
Morgan, T. J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
The National Library of Wales, Carmarthenshire Quarter Sessions Records
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bordureA difference between branches of one family
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
swanGrace, light and the poet's art
