Wachter is a noble surname of German origin, sometimes romanized as Waechter. Its variant forms include Wächter, Wachtler and Wächtler.
| Romanization | Waechter, Waechtler. |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Languages | German, English |
| Word/name | German |
| Meaning | Watchman, Guardian, Defender, Protector |
| Region of origin | Europe |
| Motto | Industria et vigilantia (By industry and vigilance) |
| Other names | |
| Variant forms | Wächter, Wachtel, Wachtler, Wächtler, Wachtel, Wachder, Wachdler, Wachitler |
| Cognates | Vahters, Vehters (Latvian), Vahteris (Lithuanian), Вахтер, Вехтер (Russian) |
| Anglicisations | Vachter, Vakhter |
| Derivative | Saalwächter |
| See also | Wilhelm/Willem/William (a name also meaning "protector"), Alexander (a name also meaning "defender") |
People with the surname
- Alfred von Kiderlen-Waechter (1852–1912), German nobleman, diplomat and politician, who served as Secretary of State and head of the Foreign Office, best known for his role in the Agadir Crisis in 1911
- Anita Wachter (born 1967), Austrian professional alpine skier
- Charles Wachter (1865–1928), German-born businessman and city commissioner in Bismarck, North Dakota
- Ed Wachter (1883–1966), professional basketball player
- Frank Charles Wachter (1861–1910), American politician and Congressman from Maryland
- Franz Wachter (1850–1923), mayor of Vaduz
- Graziella Marok-Wachter (born 1965), Liechtenstein politician
- Harry W. Wachter (1868–1941), a Toledo, Ohio architect
- Johann Wachter (1884–1959), Liechtenstein politician
- Marcia De Wachter (born 1953), Belgian businesswoman and Director of the National Bank of Belgium
- Matt Wachter (born 1976), American bassist
- Michael Wachter (born 1943), American professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School
- Rudolf Wachter (born 1954), Swiss linguist and classical philologist
- Renée Wachter (born 1966), Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Superior