Walter
The origin and history of Walter.
Etymology
A Germanic name that reached English through Middle English Walter, from Old Northern French Waltier, from Frankish *Waltheri (compare Old High German Waltheri, which has more detail), from Proto-West Germanic *Waldahari, from Proto-Germanic *Waldaharjaz, itself made up of *waldą ('ruler') and *harjaz ('army, host'). It is related to Old English Waldhere. Compare herald and Harold, where these same elements appear in reverse order.
