Hi Stephen, I don't believe I have ever been told why the "w" got dropped but in my line my 2nd great grandfather John Waller Boatwright had the "w" in his name and all but his oldest child (Rodney Smith Boatwright) dropped it in their's. This information came from the notes of Robert Guy Boatright (John Waller's son) thru his grandson Dennis. Perhaps Dennis or someone else though can tell you more. I can say that since I still carry the last name I have nor did my father nor his father (that I am aware of) ever use it in our name but there have been times that other people have placed it in the spelling of my name but to my knowledge it has always been corrected where it might of counted or been important. Do you mine sharing how you fall into this family? Lori Boatright