Show ContentsCartwright History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Cartwright Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Cartwright

What does the name Cartwright mean?

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Cartwright. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a maker of carts, and wheels. The name has its origins in the Old English word craet, which means cart, and the Old English word wyrtha, which means wright or maker, thereby denoting one who was the maker of carts or wagons. 1

The name could also have been "from Cauterêts; a location name in Normandy Cateray in Roll of Battell Abbey. De Ceterith, a tenant in chief in the Domesday Book. " 2

Another source notes the family is "armorially identified with Cateryke, or Catherick (Robson). Catherick was part of the demesne of the Earls of Richmond, and the surname therefore probably arose from tenure of the office of Seneschal by a branch of a neighbouring family. The arms (a fesse) are those of the adjoining family of De Smythton or Eschalers, with three cinquefoils for difference, which were afterwards corrupted into ‘roses', 'Catherine wheels', and ‘fire-balls with rays.’ Of this family Ilbert de Catherege, or Catherage (a form of Catheric), occurs in Normandy, 1180-98 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); which shows the Norman origin of the family. A branch long remained at Stanwick, in Richmondshire, close to Catterick. Another branch was seated in Notts, and one in Cambridge; and the name there changed from Cateryke to Cartwright." 3

Early Origins of the Cartwright family

The surname Cartwright was first found in Yorkshire where early rolls listed the name as a profession and a surname. The Poll Tax of Howdenshire (East Riding of Yorkshire) listed Robert le Cartwright. B. Johannes Toppe, cartwryght. In the same year the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls listed: Magota Cartwryght; Henriciis Wryght, catrwryght (sic); Johannes Warde, cartwright; Johannes Percivale, cartwryght and Geoffrey Cartewirght. 4

Early History of the Cartwright family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cartwright research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1535, 1602, 1603, 1611, 1634, 1635, 1643, 1658, 1659, 1661, 1676, 1686, 1689, 1703 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Cartwright History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cartwright Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Cartwright include Cartwright, Cartright, Cartwrite, Carthright, Kartwright, Kartright, Cartrite, Kartwrite, Chartwright, Cartrite, Catherick, Cartrait, Cartray, Ceterith, Cateray, Cautheret, Carterwright, Carterright, Carterrite, Chartright, Chartwright, Cardwright and many more.

Early Notables of the Cartwright family

  • Thomas Cartwright (1535-1603), described by Strype (Annals, ii. i. c. 1) as 'the head and most learned of that sect of dissenters then called Puritans,' was a native of Hertfordshire, but his place of...
  • Christopher Cartwright (1602-1658), was an English divine, born in the parish of St. Michael-le-Belfry, York. He was a Hebraist and used targums in Biblical exegesis, following the lead of Henry Ainsw...
  • William Cartwright (1634-1676), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1659; Thomas Cartwright (1634-1689), was an English bishop and diarist, Bishop of Chester in 1686, supporte...
  • George Cartwright (fl. 1661), was an English dramatist and author of a solitary tragedy entitled 'The Heroick Lover, or the Infanta of Spain,' London, 1661, 8vo, dedicated to Charles II. 5

Cartwright World Ranking

the United States, the name Cartwright is the 1,245th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Cartwright is ranked the 779th most popular surname with an estimated 4,997 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Cartwright is the 802nd popular surname with an estimated 911 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Cartwright as 357th with 17,569 people. 9

Cartwright migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Cartwright or a variant listed above:

Cartwright Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Cartwright, who settled in Virginia in 1624
  • Bethia Cartwright who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630
  • Edward Cartwright in Nantucket married and had Sampson in 1678, Susanna in 1681, Edward in 1683, and Mary in 1687
Cartwright Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Matthew Cartwright, who settled in Maryland in 1700
Cartwright Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Cartwright, aged 19, British potter who arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship "John Cummins" on 26th April 1842

Cartwright migration to Canada +

Cartwright Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Richard Cartwright Sr., U.E. (b. 1720) born in London, England from Albany, New York, USA who settled in Kingston, Ontario c. 1783 he emigrated to America in 1742, married to Johanna Beasley in 1743 they had 1 child, he died in 1794 in Kingston, Ontario 11
  • Secretary Richard Cartwright Jr., U.E. (b. 1759) born in Albany, New York, USA from Albany, New York, USA who settled in Kingston, Ontario c. 1783 he served in Butler's Rangers Regiment, died in 1812 11

Cartwright migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet and Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. William Cartwright, (Hoppett), British settler convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 10
Second Fleet
Following the First and Second Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Cartwright Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Cartwright 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:

Cartwright Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Cartwright, (b. 1836), aged 26, British labourer from Lancashire, travelling from London aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1862 17
  • Mr. Cartwright, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Hydaspes" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th October 1868 17
  • John H. Cartwright, aged 22, a smiths labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
  • Caroline Cartwright, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Salisbury" in 1874
  • George Cartwright, aged 38, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Collingwood" in 1875
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cartwright (post 1700) +

  • Anne Sullivan Kirby Cartwright (1946-2025), American politician
  • Charlotte May Cartwright (1914-1987), née Galloway, American private in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Nancy Cartwright (b. 1957), American Emmy Award winning actress and comedian, best known as the voice of Bart Simpson, Nelson Muntz, Ralph Wiggum, and Todd Flanders on The Simpsons
  • William T. "Bill" Cartwright (1920-2013), Emmy Award-winning American television and film director, producer and editor
  • Marc Cartwright (b. 1975), American celebrity portrait photographer
  • Bill Cartwright (b. 1957), former NBA basketball player
  • Angela Margaret Cartwright (b. 1952), American actress best known as a child actress for her role as Brigitta Von Trapp in the film The Sound of Music
  • Erik Cartwright (b. 1950), American rock guitarist
  • General James E. "Hoss" Cartwright (b. 1949), American eighth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • ... (Another 38 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Dennis Cartwright (1966-1985), American Private from Silsbee, Texas, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 18
  • Mr. Alexander Mitchell Cartwright (1900-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 19
  • Mr. Thomas D Cartwright, English Captain serving for the Royal Marine from England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20
  • Mr. Cyril John Cartwright, English Leading Seaman from Plymouth, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking, was lost in 1942 21
  • Wilfred Cartwright (1903-1939), British Engine Room Artificer 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 22
  • ... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Cartwright 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: Defend the fold

Suggested Readings for the name Cartwright +

  • Cartwright and Shipp Families of Lower Norfolk, Princess Anne and Surry Counties, Virginia and North Carolina by Alice Granbery Walter.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  19. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
  20. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  21. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  22. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html

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