Show ContentsGattling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gattling is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from the Old French names Caterine and Cateline, which were forms of the personal name Catharine. These names were introduced into England in the 12th century and became very popular, especially in the variant forms Catelin and Cateline. Thus the surname Gattling is a metronymic type of surname, and is derived from the name of the original bearer's mother.

Early Origins of the Gattling family

The surname Gattling was first found in Wiltshire. Some of the first records of the family were found her in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 that included early spelling of the name: Geoffrey Gatelin; and Johanna Gatelyn. 1

Richard Jordan Gatling (1818-1903) was the American inventor of his eponymous Gatling gun, considered to be the first successful machine gun that first saw service in 1862. Born on the family plantation in Como, Hertford County, North Carolina, he was a successful inventor by the age of 21 inventing the screw propeller for steamboats. His grandfather William James Gatling (1760-1822), was from Virginia.

Early History of the Gattling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gattling research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1545, 1547, 1556, 1559, 1574, 1583, 1625, 1634, 1640, 1644, 1662, 1679, 1685, 1689 and 1702 are included under the topic Early Gattling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gattling Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Gattling are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Gattling include: Catlin, Catling, Catlyn, Catlyne, Catlyng and others.

Early Notables of the Gattling family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Robert Catlin (died 1574), English jurist, Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench (1559-1574). He was born at Beby in Leicestershire, though his ancestry is said to have belonged to Northamptonshire. He was a member of the Middle Temple, and was appointed reader to that society in 1547. 2 Richard Catlyn (by 1520-1556), of Norwich and Honingham, Norfolk and Serjeants' Inn...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gattling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gattling family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Gattling or a variant listed above: William Catline who settled in Barbados in 1679 with his wife and servants; James Catling, who settled in New England in 1769; Michael Catling, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1854.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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