Ralph D. Waite
or
Ralf de Waiet In 1075 A.D.,
William the Conqueror gave the Earldom, city and castle of Norwich,
in England, to Ralf de Waiet,
the son of Ralf, an Englishman, by a Welsh woman; this son marrying
Emma, sister to Roger, Earl of Hereford, cousin of the conqueror, etc.
This is the earliest record so far found, and the sources from whence all
bearing the name of Waite seem to trace their origin.

Waite Crest above is thanks to
http://www.waitegenealogy.org
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Dexter....the
name, rather than just middle initial "D" or "de" It is doubtful that Earle
and Bess Waite knew the "D" vs "de" history on the
left side of this page when they named my father Ralph D. Waite. Since
Bess's father was John Dexter Osborn the "D" came from him. But
it is curious that in Waite early history there is a use for
"de".
I have been know as Dexter in high
school and college. I really never thought about the name, since I came
into the world with it. My father had the same name so I was called
Ralphie by my relatives.
In college, the fraternity pledge life
cemented Dexter as my name. It was good to be accepted as Dexter not
Ralph.
After college Dexter didn't seem
business like when surrounded by William, Robert and John - so Ralph was
good for 40 years.
Now that I have done some ancestry
checking, There was my great-grandfather John Dexter Osborn and his father
Dexter Schuyler Osborn. I respected what they did with their life.
So, Dexter has taken on a new meaning. Today I use the name, with pride.
It is surprising how names change in
meaning. It depends on whom the name reflects in the listener's mind. I
also now like the Dexter in me again. Welcome back Dexter....or is it
Ralf?
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