Caithcard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Caithcard. The Caithcard family lived in the region of Cathcart near Glasgow, along the "Cart" river. 1

Early Origins of the Caithcard family

The surname Caithcard was first found in Renfrewshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rinn Friù), a historic county of Scotland, today encompassing the Council Areas of Renfrew, East Renfrewshire, and Iverclyde, in the Strathclyde region of southwestern Scotland.

"The first of the family came to Scotland with Walter fitz Alan, the first of the Stewards, and from his name, Rainald, may like his leader, have been of Breton origin. Rainald appears as witness to a charter by Alan fitz Waiter conveying the patronage of the church of Ketheart to the monastery of Paisley c. 1178. He also witnessed, as Ranulfus de Ketkert, a similar charter by Alan, the son of Walter in favor of the same house c. 1202-1203. As Reginaldus de Cathekert, he witnessed another charter by the same Alan to Robert Croc of the lands of Kellebrid c. 1200. His son, William de Cathkert witnessed a charter whereby Duugallus filius Cristini de Levenax exchanged the lands of Cnoc with the monastery of Paisley for lands near Walkeinschaw in 1234. William de Kathkerte of the county of Arne rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296. Sir Alan of Cathcart, an adherent of Bruce, was probably the first to be designated dominus ejusdem in 1336." 2

Early History of the Caithcard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caithcard research. Another 251 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1178, 1200, 1230, 1296, 1447, 1513, 1546, 1622, 1721, 1742, 1755, 1766, 1771, 1773, 1776, 1777, 1783, 1800, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1843, 1859 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Caithcard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caithcard Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Caithcard has appeared as Cathcart, Cathert, Kethkert, Kethkart and others.

Early Notables of the Caithcard family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Charles Cathcart, 9th Baron Cathcart (1721-1776), soldier and ambassador, born 21 March 1721, the son of Charles, 8th Baron, a military officer of considerable distinction. The son at an early age entered the 3rd regiment of foot guards. In 1742 he commanded the 20th regiment of foot under the Earl of Stair. He accompanied the Duke of Cumberland through his campaigns in Flanders, Scotland, and Holland, acting as one of the duke's aides-de-camp at Fontenoy, and receiving in that battle a dangerous wound in his head. 3Sir William Schaw Cathcart, 10th Baron Cathcart...
Another 249 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Caithcard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caithcard family to Ireland

Some of the Caithcard family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caithcard family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Robert Cathcart who settled in New England in 1730; Alexander, Gabriel, James, John, Paul, Robert, Thomas, William Cathcart all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1840..

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print