Bywater /ˈbaɪwɔːtər/ is an uncommon English surname of Old English origin and can most frequently be found in the English region of Yorkshire. It is a topographical surname given to those who were situated near a body of water.[1]
| Pronunciation | baɪ.wɔːtər |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | Old English |
| Meaning | by the water |
| Region of origin | Yorkshire |
Etymology edit
Bywater is an uncommon surname of Old English origin. It is a topographical surname given to those who were situated near a body of water.[1] The name derives from the merger of the Old English words bi (Middle English: by) and waeter (Middle English: water) to form biwaeter.
Topographical surnames are among the earliest created, because natural and artificial features in the landscape provided easily identifiable and distinguishing names among small communities in medieval England.[1]
History edit
The surname was first recorded by Thomas Bithewater, a witness to a wedding which dates to 1219, in the Yorkshire Assize Rolls.[1]
It was first recorded in Middle English at the marriage of John Bywater and Eleonar Copgood at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 19 September 1637.[1]
People edit
- Hector Charles Bywater, English naval expert, author and WWI spy
- Hetti Bywater, British actress
- Ingram Bywater, English classical scholar
- Jim Bywater, British actor
- Michael Bywater, English writer
- Richard Arthur Samuel Bywater, recipient of the George Cross
- Ron Bywater, Australian rules footballer
- Stephen Bywater, English footballer
- Terry Bywater, British Paralympic athlete in wheelchair basketball
References edit
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