Show ContentsCatswithay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Catswithay

What does the name Catswithay mean?

The ancestors of the Catswithay surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in London, where their name is derived from the place-name Chatworth, now lost. Before this, the name is derived from the Old English personal name Ceatta, with the suffix -worth, which means enclosure or farm. Combined, the name Chatworth meant "Ceatta's farm." 1

Early Origins of the Catswithay family

The surname Catswithay was first found in Derbyshire at Chatsworth, a hamlet, in the parish of Edensor, union of Bakewell, hundred of High Peak. This hamlet has been held by the Duke of Devonshire; and consists almost wholly of Chatsworth Park, which extends into the hamlet of Edensor, and the townships of Baslow and Beeley, and comprises 1200 acres of land. The magnificent mansion of Chatsworth is built upon the site of a more ancient edifice, in which Mary, Queen of Scots, passed a considerable portion of her captivity. " 2

The variant Chaworth traces back to "Patrick de Cadurcis, or Chaworth, whose name appears on the Battle Roll, was a native of Little Brittany, and after the victory of Hastings, appears to have been rewarded by grants of land in Gloucestershire. From him descended Thomas de Chaworth, who was summoned to parliament as a Baron in 1299, and whose descend- ants continued for a long series of generations, seated in high repute in the counties of Nottingham and Derby." 3

Early History of the Catswithay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Catswithay research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1349, 1401, 1430, 1458, 1507, 1568, 1605, 1621, 1622, 1635, 1639, 1644 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Catswithay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Catswithay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Catswithay include Chadworth, Chatworth, Chaworth, Shadworth and others.

Early Notables of the Catswithay family

Notables of the family at this time include Joan Chaworth (1430-1507), the heiress of Alfreton, married in 1458 to John Ormond; George Chaworth, 1st Viscount Chaworth of Armagh (c.1568-1639)...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Catswithay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Catswithay family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Thomas Chadworth who settled in Virginia in 1643; John Shadworth settled in New England in 1765.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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