Gattaker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Gattaker is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a a cat. It was given to someone who was cunning, malicious, or nimble. The surname Gattaker also referred to someone who enjoyed good eating. This surname may also be referred in the patronymic as the son of the one nicknamed gata.

Early Origins of the Gattaker family

The surname Gattaker was first found in Shropshire which was "a family of great antiquity, and which is said to have been established at Gatacre by a grant from Edward the Confessor." 1

The Gatacre local cannot be found today but the History of Parliament notes about William Gatacre (by 1499-1577): "Although not a leading family in Shropshire, the Gatacres were influential at Bridgnorth, five miles from their home."

Indeed the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: John de Gatacre and Stephen de Gatacre, both from Shropshire. 2

Early History of the Gattaker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gattaker research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1160, 1331, 1499, 1533, 1553, 1554, 1574, 1577, 1593 and 1654 are included under the topic Early Gattaker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gattaker Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Gattaker were recorded, including Gatacre, Gataker and others.

Early Notables of the Gattaker family

Notables of the family at this time include William Gatacre (by 1499-1577) was an English politician, Member of Parliament for Shropshire in November 1554; and his son, Thomas Gatacre (by 1533-1593), an English politician and cleric; and his son, Thomas Gataker (1574-1654), an English clergyman and theologian. He "was born on 4 Sept. 1574, in the rectory house of St. Edmund's, Lombard Street. His father was Thomas...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gattaker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gattaker family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Gattaker family emigrate to North America: John Gatacre who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)