Surname Cather - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cather: What does the surname Cather mean?
The surname Cather is of Scottish origin and is believed to be an occupational name for someone who made or sold casks or barrels. It's a derivative of the Gaelic word 'cothair,' which translates to 'barrel.' Sometimes it was also used to specify the origin place as Cather is a place in Scotland. The surname carries significant historical significance and was first found in various parts of Scotland including Lanarkshire, Angus, and Perthshire. The surname's designations were also influenced by the forces of the Norman Conquest of 1066. This type of surname, rooted in ancient Gaelic culture, is linked to the early tribal clans of Scotland. The surname has various spelling variations like Cater, Cather, Kater, Keather, and others resulting from the translation of Gaelic names into English. Despite these variations, the surname Cather represents an essential part of the history of ancient Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisCather: Where does the name Cather come from?
The surname Cather is of English origin, taken from Saint Katherine or Saint Cathryn. Historically, it has been adopted throughout the English-Saxon region. Its initial usage was primarily a patronymic surname, often given to a person known as the son of Catherine during ancient time.
The surname in the present day is most common in the United States, specifically in areas where English, Scottish and Irish immigrants settled, like certain parts of Pennsylvania. Despite the prevalence in the United States, the surname's distribution is scattered and not particularly concentrated in one region. The surname is very rare and its occurrence is infrequent, seen in a few individuals around the global diaspora.
Moreover, a prominent bearer of the surname was the American writer Willa Cather, known for her novels about frontier life on the Great Plains in novels such as "O Pioneers!" and "My Ántonia.".
Variations of the surname Cather
The surname Cather has a few variants and related surnames derived from the same or similar roots. Variations of the name may include Catherwood, Cathers, and possibly Kather or Katherwood. More distant variants could possibly include McArthur, MacArthur, or even Arthur, as these surnames share Celtic origins and contain similar phonetic elements.
Additionally, it's not uncommon for surnames to be altered over generations due to errors in transcription, shifts in pronunciation, or deliberate changes by the family. Therefore, names which sound similar to Cather, such as Cathar, Catherall, or Catter, could also potentially be variations.
However, without in-depth genealogical research, it would be hard to definitively link all these names to the specific origins of the surname Cather. Particularly as Cather is a fairly uncommon surname, its specific etymology and related surnames may not be well-documented.
In some cases, the surname could also have been Anglicized from a foreign name, further complicating the task of identifying related names and variants. Consulting a professional genealogist or conducting archival research could provide more detailed information.
Famous people with the name Cather
- Willa Cather: She was an eminent American writer who wrote numerous novels including "My Antonia" and "Death Comes for the Archbishop". She won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1923 for her novel "One of Ours".
- William Cather Hook: Although not bearing the last name “Cather”, he is a highly regarded federal judge and was related to Willa Cather. He was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit by President Ronald Reagan.
- Kevin Cather: not as famous as Willa, he is a professional basketball player who played for the Worcester Wolves in the British Basketball League.
- James Cather: Another sports figure with the last name of Cather, he is known for his role as a football coach with the Canadian Football League and National Football League. These are the most notable people bearing the last name "Cather".