Catanach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Catanach

What does the name Catanach mean?

The first family to use the name Catanach lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Catanach is derived from the Gaelic Cattanaich which means belonging to the Chattan or the Clan of the Cat. In Gaelic, the surname is known as Catan, but through Anglicization, the name becomes Cattanach and others.

Early Origins of the Catanach family

The surname Catanach was first found in Inverness, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Catanach family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Catanach research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1600 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Catanach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Catanach Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Catanach has appeared Cattanach, Cattenach, Cattenoch, Catan, Catanoch and others.

Early Notables of the Catanach family

James Catanach of Alnwick

Migration of the Catanach family

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Catanach: John Catanoch who settled in Wilmington N.C. in 1774 with his wife and four children. Archibald and William arrived in Philadelphia in 1855; but most of the Cattenachs settled in Glengarry county Ontario Canada with the MacDonalds, and in the census of 1852 there were 50 of the name recorded there..

The Catanach 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: Touch not the cat