In ancient
Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Chatman surname lived in Cheetham, in the county of
Lancashire. It is from the place-name Cheetham that the family name is derived.
Early Origins of the Chatman family
The surname Chatman was first found in
Lancashire at Cheetham, a township, in the parish and union of Manchester,
hundred of Salford.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Now part of Greater Manchester, Cheetham dates back to the late 12th century and literally meant "homestead or village by the wood called Chet," from the Celtic word "ced" meaning "forest" and the Old English word "ham."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) The ancient archeological site Cheetham Close, a megalithic site and scheduled ancient monument is nearby and is generally thought to have been a druidical ritual place with a Roman road passed 'within two hundred yards' of the megalith. As far as the surname is concerned, one of the first records was Geoffrey de Chetham who was listed in the Assize Rolls of
Lancashire in 1246. Over one hundred years later, Thomas de Cheteham was listed in
Lancashire in 1394.
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) Another branch of the family was found at Allerton in
Lancashire. "At the time of the
Domesday Survey, three thanes held 'Alretune;' which was in the possession of Geoffrey de Chetham in the reign of Henry III."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Chatman family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chatman research.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chatman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Chatman Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early
Anglo-Saxon surnames like Chatman are characterized by many
spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Chatman include: Chetham, Cheetham, Cheetam, Cheetum and others.
Early Notables of the Chatman family (pre 1700)
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chatman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Chatman family to Ireland
Some of the Chatman family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in
Ireland is included in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Chatman family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Chatman or a variant listed above:
Chatman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Valentine Chatman, aged 29, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Chatman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Florence Chatman, aged 25, who arrived in America, in 1903
- George Chatman, aged 42, who arrived in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1903
- Mathiar Chatman, aged 18, who arrived in America, in 1906
- Sarah Chatman, who arrived in America, in 1908
- Victor Chatman, aged 38, who arrived in America from Paris, France, in 1912
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Chatman Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
- Janet Chatman, aged 26, who arrived in Kings Cove, Newfoundland, in 1910
Contemporary Notables of the name Chatman (post 1700)
- Lawrence Chatman, American reggae vocalist and electronic music producer, better known as DJ Collage or Mista Chatman
- Charles Chatman (b. 1961), American who served 26 years in prison due to a wrongful conviction; he was exonerated by DNA testing
- Clifford D. Chatman (b. 1959), former American NFL football fullback who played in 1982 for the New York Giants
- Stephen Chatman (b. 1950), American-born, Canadian composer residing in Vancouver
- Mire De Juan Chatman (b. 1978), American professional basketball player
- Vernon Chatman (b. 1972), American television producer, writer, voice actor, stand-up comedian, musician
- John Len Chatman (1915-1998), also known as Peter Chatman, American blues pianist, singer, and composer, better known as Memphis Slim
- Seymour Chatman (b. 1928), American film and literary critic, professor emeritus of rhetoric at the University of California, Berkeley
- Dana "Pokey" Chatman (b. 1969), American former head coach of the LSU Lady Tigers basketball team
- Jesse Percee Chatman (b. 1979), American football running back
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
The Chatman 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: Quod tuum tenne
Motto Translation: Hold what is yours