Gatenby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Gatenby

What does the name Gatenby mean?

Gatenby is one of the many new names that came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Gatenby is for a watchman. The watchman was responsible for keeping guard over the gates of a castle or manor.

Early Origins of the Gatenby family

The surname Gatenby was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Gatenby. One of the first records of the family was Stephen de Gaitenbi (c. 1190-1212) who was listed in Early Yorkshire Charters.

In 1327, the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire listed Thomas de Gaytenby and later Peter de Gaytenby was listed in the Calendar of Inquisitiones post mortem of Yorkshire (1405-1406.) 1

Early History of the Gatenby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gatenby research. Another 137 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gatenby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gatenby Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Gattonsby, Gatensby, Gatonby, Gattenby, Gatenby and many more.

Early Notables of the Gatenby family

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

Gatenby migration to Australia +

Gatenby Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Robert Gatenby, aged 31, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sultana" in 1850 2
Grace Gatenby, aged 25, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sultana" in 1850 2
Harriet Gatenby, aged 2, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sultana" in 1850 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Gatenby (post 1700) +

David John Gatenby (b. 1952), Australian former cricketer who played for Tasmania (1978-1979)
Peter Barry Brontë Gatenby (1923-2015), Irish physician, Medical Director for the United Nations and Professor of Medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, son of James Brontë Gatenby
James Brontë Gatenby (1892-1960), New Zealand zoologist, known for his work on the structure of cells and the Golgi bodies
Peter Robert Gatenby (b. 1949), Australian cricketer who played for Tasmania

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SULTANA 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Sultana.htm