Cattor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Cattor

What does the name Cattor mean?

The history of the name Cattor dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from a member of the family who worked as a caterer. The surname Cattor was an official name, "the cater," derived from the Old French ale catour, a title meaning a buyer of groceries for the gentleman's house. They were in charge of maintaining provisions in manors and castles. The cater's job assumed a great importance during extended sieges of his lord's castle, which could last for years.

Early Origins of the Cattor family

The surname Cattor was first found in Berkshire, 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. William le Catur who was documented in the year 1273 in Essex and a few years later, Bernard le Acatour was listed in 1300 in Somerset. William Katerer was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379.

Early History of the Cattor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cattor research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1150 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Cattor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cattor Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Cattor has undergone many spelling variations, including Cater, Cator, Cather, Catter, Cader and others.

Early Notables of the Cattor family

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

Migration of the Cattor family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Cattor were among those contributors: George Cater who settled in Virginia in 1642; Mary Cator, who came to Virginia in 1726; Sarah Cater, who settled in New England in 1760; Andrew and Jane Cather, who arrived in New York in 1823 with their three children.