Cato History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Scotland

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It was in the Scottish/English Borderlands that the Strathclyde-Briton people first used the ancient name Cato. It was a name for someone who lived in Norfolk, England; or the name may also be from Chetel, an Old Norse and Old English given name.

Early Origins of the Cato family

The surname Cato was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Cato family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cato research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1403, 1597 and 1633 are included under the topic Early Cato History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cato Spelling Variations

Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Cato has appeared as Catto, Cattoch, Cattow, Kitto, Citto, Chatto, Chattoch, Chetto, Cato and many more.

Early Notables of the Cato family

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

Cato Ranking

In the United States, the name Cato is the 3,192^nd most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1

Cato migration to the United States +

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:

Cato Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Eliza Cato, aged 31, who arrived in New York in 1862 2
Anderson Cato, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1896

Cato Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Carl Cato, aged 27, who landed in America from London, England, in 1910
Carlo Cato, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States, in 1913
Beatrice M Cato, aged 17, who immigrated to America, in 1913
Elizabeth Cato, aged 11, who settled in America from Kingston, Jamaica, in 1913
Ehan Cato, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1922

Cato migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cato Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Cato, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Cato, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Cato migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Cato Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Emma Cato, English convict from Southampton, who was transported aboard the "Angelina" on April 25, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 3

Cato migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Cato Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Walter Cato, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
Martha Cato, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
Claudius Cato, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865
William Cato, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Andrew Jackson" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Cato (post 1700) +

John Keefe Cato (b. 1957), former American relief pitcher
Bob Cato (1923-1999), American graphic designer
Kelvin T. Cato (b. 1974), American former professional basketball player
Sue Cato, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 2000 4
Sterling G. Cato, American politician, Justice of Kansas Territorial Supreme Court, 1855-58 4
O. C. Cato, American Democratic Party politician, Custer County Sheriff; Member of Montana State House of Representatives; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Montana, 1912 (Honorary Vice-President) 4
L. L. Cato, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1860 4
Giles Cato Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Mississippi, 1936 4
George C. Cato, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Port Natal, 1884 4
Doreen Cato, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for Washington, 1996 4
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Cato Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Omnibus amicus
Motto Translation: A friend to everyone.