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The ancestors of the name Cheethem date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Cheethem family lived in Cheetham, in the county of Lancashire. It is from the place-name Cheetham that the family name is derived.
The surname Cheethem was first found in Lancashire at Cheetham, a township, in the parish and union of Manchester, hundred of Salford. 1 Now part of Greater Manchester, Cheetham dates back to the late 12th century and literally meant "homestead or village by the wood called Chet," from the Celtic word "ced" meaning "forest" and the Old English word "ham." 2 The ancient archeological site Cheetham Close, a megalithic site and scheduled ancient monument is nearby and is generally thought to have been a druidical ritual place with a Roman road passed 'within two hundred yards' of the megalith. As far as the surname is concerned, one of the first records was Geoffrey de Chetham who was listed in the Assize Rolls of Lancashire in 1246. Over one hundred years later, Thomas de Cheteham was listed in Lancashire in 1394. 3 Another branch of the family was found at Allerton in Lancashire. "At the time of the Domesday Survey, three thanes held 'Alretune;' which was in the possession of Geoffrey de Chetham in the reign of Henry III." 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cheethem research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1640, 1648, 1653 and 1692 are included under the topic Early Cheethem History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Cheethem 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 Cheethem include: Chetham, Cheetham, Cheetam, Cheetum and others.
Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Edward Chetham; and Colonel John Chetham of Southhill House in Somerset, from a branch of the Derbyshire family.
Humphrey Chetham, (1580-1653), was founder of the Chetham Hospital and Library, fifth son of Henry Chetham of Crumpsall Hall, near Mandiester, a prosperous merchant of that town. He was baptised at the collegiate church of Manchester on 10 July 1580. He received his education at the Manchester grammar school under Dr. Thomas Cogan. "For several years before his death he had 'taken up and maintained' twenty-two poor boys of Manchester, Salford, and Droylsden; and...
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cheethem Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Cheethem or a variant listed above: Samuel and William Chettum who settled in New England in 1748; Philip Chetham arrived in Philadelphia in 1811; Edward, James, John, Thomas, and William Cheetham all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1860..