Show ContentsCatesbrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Catesbrey family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Catesby, in Northants, now Northamptonshire. 1

"The family had been for some time settled in Northamptonshire, and held also the manor of Lapworth in Warwickshire. " 2

The "Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I." had two early listing for the family: Robert de Catesby, Northamptonshire, Henry III-Edward I; and William de Cattesby, Northamptonshire. 3

Early Origins of the Catesbrey family

The surname Catesbrey was first found in Northampton at Asbhy St. Ledger's, a parish, in the union of Daventry, hundred of Fawsley. "The church [of Asbhy St. Ledger's] is in the later English style; it contains a richly ornamented screen and rood-loft, and in the windows are some remains of ancient painted glass. Sir William Catesby, favourite of Richard III., and owner of the manor, was buried within the altar-rails, under a marble slab with a rich brass in fine preservation; and Robert Catesby, the conspirator, of the time of James I., resided here, where he had property." 4

"William Catesby (d. 1485), councillor of Richard III, of whom, and others, the couplet was written: 'The Cat, the Rat, and Lovel our dog Rule all England under a hog,' was son of Sir William Catesby, of Ashby St. Legers, Northamptonshire." 3

Early History of the Catesbrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Catesbrey research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1371, 1449, 1450, 1453, 1459, 1478, 1484, 1485, 1573, 1605, 1679, 1710, 1719 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Catesbrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Catesbrey Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Catesbrey include Catesby, Catesbury, Cates and others.

Early Notables of the Catesbrey family

Notables of this surname at this time include: William Catesby, High Sheriff of Warwickshire in 1371; Sir William Catesby (1450-1485), English landowner and Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire in 1484, one of Richard III of England's principal councillors, he also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Speaker of the House of Commons; William Catesby (died 1478), English landowner and Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire, 1449, 1453; William Catesby of Ashby St Ledgers, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1459; Sir John Catesby of Seton, Justice of the Common Pleas. Robert Catesby (1573-1605), was the leader of a group of Catholic conspirators...
Another 138 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Catesbrey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Catesbrey family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Catesbrey were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Catesby who settled in Virginia in 1623; Jane Catesby settled there in 1635; followed by Robert in 1654.



  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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