Waits
A surname from an old word for a watchman or night guard—literally someone who keeps watch.
The #6,059 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 54,539 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Waits comes from the medieval English word wait or waite, used for a watchman, guard, or sentinel. The word is ultimately from Old French forms such as waite, meaning a watcher or guard. In surname use, it likely began as an occupational byname for someone who kept watch or served as a town guard.
History
The name is recorded in medieval forms like le Wayte and le Geyt, showing its early use as an occupational surname. The same word later survived in the term waits, first for watchmen and then for groups of musicians or night serenaders associated with Christmas customs. As a surname, Waits is a relatively uncommon English name and may also reflect later spelling variation from Waite or Wait.
Origin
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Fun fact
The surname shares its root with the old Christmas “waits,” bands of musicians who traditionally played carols or patrolled at night during the holiday season.
From the historical record
“POSNETT, for Poslett, q.v. POSSELWHITE, for Postleth waits, q.v. POSTANCE 1 Dweller at (app.) the Posterns POSTANS ; [O. Fr. posleme (Fr. pdterne) for”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)