Surname Cater - Meaning and Origin
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Cater: What does the surname Cater mean?
The surname Cater is of British origin and has a few potential meanings. Primarily, it is thought to be an occupational surname derived from the Old French "acatour" meaning "buyer" or "purchaser." This would have been used to denote someone who purchased supplies and provisions, essentially a caterer. As per this interpretation, the last name Cater would represent someone who worked as a caterer, provisioning large establishments or groups.
Another possible origin is from a geographical term, specifically from Cater in Wales. Like many British surnames, it could have been used to identify where an individual was from, thus, someone bearing the name Cater could have had ancestors hailing from this region.
The meaning of a surname can vary greatly and depends upon its historical context and geographical origins. Notably, the exact origin and meaning of many surnames have been lost or obscured over time.
Please note, last names can often have multiple meanings depending upon cultural, geographical, and historical contexts. Hence, an individual family's surname history may differ based on their distinct lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisCater: Where does the name Cater come from?
The surname Cater is of English origin, derived from the Anglo-Norman French term "acatour", a buyer or purveyor, particularly one who bought provisions for a large household. The term was later anglicized in Middle English as "catour" or "cater". Therefore, the Cater surname was likely an occupational name for a caterer or food supplier. This profession was often held by an important servant in noble households, suggesting the Cater family historically held a high standing in society.
Today, the Cater surname is found in a number of English-speaking countries such as England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite its diffusion across various countries, it remains relatively uncommon. In England, where the surname had its genesis, concentrations of people with the Cater surname can be found in southern counties like Kent and Surrey. The US also has significant clusters, particularly in states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia. Nonetheless, global occurrences are scattered and the distribution of the Cater surname is fairly rare.
Variations of the surname Cater
The surname Cater is primarily of English origin, derived from the Old Norse "káti," meaning a small barrel or cask. Over time, this surname has been spelled and modified in a variety of ways, either due to regional pronunciation differences or clerical errors.
Variants and alternative spellings of Cater include Caterer, Kater, Cator, Cather, Kator, and Catour. Some of these spellings, like Caterer, reflect an occupational background, referring to someone who supplied food and drink, or a seller of delicacies.
A study of early immigration records reveals individuals bearing the surname or its variations moved to the United States and other colonies. These records include Walter Cater who arrived in Virginia in 1622, and Geo Cater who arrived in Virginia in 1623.
In terms of surnames of the same origin – deriving from the same “káti” root – Catt, Cattell, Caton, and Cattan are all possible matches.
It should be noted that Cater could also be a variant of the surname Carter, which has origins in the Celtic language, and refers to someone who uses a cart for work. In this case, similar surnames might include Cart, Cartner, and Cartwright.
Famous people with the name Cater
- Bill Cater: A British actor known for his roles in films such as "The War of the Worlds" and "The Eagle Has .Landed".
- Susanne Cater: An Australian actress known for her role in the TV series "City Homicide".
- Jason Cater: A former Australian cricketer who played for the Australian national team in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Kevin Cater: A former professional football player from England who played for various clubs such as Portsmouth FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
- Jimmy Cater: An American country musician and one of the founding members of The Oak Ridge Boys.
- Pha Terrell (born Truett DeWayne Cater): An American jazz vocalist who was prominent in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
- Caterina Valente (born Caterina Maria Rosa Elena Valente): An Italian multi-instrumentalist, variety and pop singer, and actress. Although she is not exactly a 'Cater', her first name is similar. Please note that the spelling may often vary from 'Cater' to 'Carter'.