Wachter

Wachter is a Germanic term meaning a person who watches or guards; in German it is Wächter, in Dutch wachter. As a noun it denotes a sentry, guard, watchman, or custodian. The word is derived from the verb wachen, "to watch," with the agentive suffix -er, and is cognate with English watchman and other Germanic forms.

In German, Wächter can refer to someone assigned to guard a place, a sentinel in a fortress, or a guard in security contexts. It appears in historical phrases such as Nachtwächter (night watchman) and Wachdienst, as well as modern institutional titles in some contexts, though many guard duties have shifted to police or private security. In Dutch, wachter similarly names a guard or custodian, and occurs in everyday phrases and compound terms for security or caretaker roles.

Historically, watchmen played a central role in urban safety, fire prevention, and early policing. Medieval and early modern towns often organized paid patrolmen or night watch, with towers and bells signaling danger. The term survives in municipal, ceremonial, and occupational names, as well as in literature and media as a generic or evocative title.

Wachter is also a surname of Germanic origin. As a family name it likely originated from an occupation or place associated with guarding or gatekeeping, and today appears in several countries.