Show ContentsCatelyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Catelyn is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that 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 Catelyn is a metronymic type of surname, and is derived from the name of the original bearer's mother.

Early Origins of the Catelyn family

The surname Catelyn 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

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Early History of the Catelyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Catelyn 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 Catelyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Catelyn Spelling Variations

Catelyn has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Catelyn have been found, including Catlin, Catling, Catlyn, Catlyne, Catlyng and others.

Early Notables of the Catelyn family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Richard Catlyn (by 1520-1556), of Norwich and Honingham, Norfolk and Serjeants' Inn, London, was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Norwich in 1545. Richard Catlin IV (1583-1662), also wr...

Migration of the Catelyn family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Catelyns to arrive on North American shores: 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)


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