Gatrel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Gatrel name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in or near the settlement of Catteral, which is located between Preston and Garstang in the county of Lancashire. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists this place as Catrehala. 1

Some experts also suggest that the surname Gatrel may be derived from a pet form of the name Caterin; this is a form of the personal name Catharine which became popular following its importation in the 12th century.

Early Origins of the Gatrel family

The surname Gatrel was first found in Lancashire at Catteral, a township, in the parish and union of Garstang, hundred of Amounderness. "The family of Catteral were in possession of this place for a considerable period; from them it passed by marriage to the Sherburnes, and subsequently came to the Banisters, Winckleys, and others." 2

Early rolls for the family include: Robert de Caterell in the Curia Regis Rolls for Hampshire in 1222; John de Caterhale in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332; Lawrence Cattrall in Yorkshire in 1462; Richard Caterall, a Freeman of York in 1500 and William Katerel in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1203. 3

The Lay Subsidy Rolls include an entry for Lorade Caterhale, Lancashire, 1332. 4

"The Catteralls, who are now represented in Preston, derive their name from a Lancashire township. Henry Catterall was guild - mayor of Preston in 1602. In the list of Lancashire Roman Catholics registered after the rebellion of 1715 occurs the name of Catterall, a small estate - holder." 5

Early History of the Gatrel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gatrel research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1562 and 1593 are included under the topic Early Gatrel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gatrel Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Gatrel has undergone many spelling variations, including Catterall, Caterell, Catterale, Catterell, Caterale, Cathrell, Catheral, Catherey, Kitrell and many more.

Early Notables of the Gatrel family

More information is included under the topic Early Gatrel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gatrel family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Gatrel were among those contributors: John Catheral who settled in Virginia in 1774; Chris Catherey settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1878. Edward Cathrell who settled in Virginia in 1656 with his wife Mary. Alice Catterall settled in Virginia in 1698.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.