Cattenach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Cattenach

What does the name Cattenach mean?

The Picts of ancient Scotland were the tribe of the ancestors of the Cattenach family. The name Cattenach 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 Cattenach family

The surname Cattenach 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 Cattenach family

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

Cattenach Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Cattenach has been spelled Cattanach, Cattenach, Cattenoch, Catan, Catanoch and others.

Early Notables of the Cattenach family

More information is included under the topic Early Cattenach Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cattenach migration to Canada +

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Cattenach:

Cattenach Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Archibald and William Cattenach, who 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

Contemporary Notables of the name Cattenach (post 1700) +

David Cattenach (1946-2022), Scottish footballer who played in 58 matches for Stirling Albion, Celtic and Falkirk in the Scottish Football League (1962-1974)

The Cattenach 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