Ketts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Ketts

What does the name Ketts mean?

The proud Norman name of Ketts was developed in England soon after Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was name for a person who has a fancied resemblance to a cat. The name stems from the Old Northern French cat, of the same meaning, which occurs in many languages in the same form from a very early period.

Early Origins of the Ketts family

The surname Ketts was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Ketts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ketts research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ketts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ketts Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ketts have been found, including Catt, Cat, Catts, Ketts, Chatt, Chat and others.

Early Notables of the Ketts family

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

Migration of the Ketts family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. 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 Ketts were among those contributors: John Catt who settled in Maryland in 1775; Richard Catt settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774; Richard Cate settled in Nevis in 1654.